An optical fiber array having a plurality of intermittent weakened portions allows subunit or groups of the fibers in the optical fiber array to be accessed without the need for special tools and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the optical fiber array includes at least two subunits, each of the subunits having a respective subunit matrix, and the optical fiber array also includes a common matrix having a plurality of intermittent weakened portions. In another embodiment, the plurality of intermittent weakened portions of the optical fiber array are formed by a common matrix having two different thickness profiles adjacent along respective portions of a subunit interface.