Road Closures: Bayshore Blvd

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ned T. Johnston
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Ground broke on the second phase of a five-part road construction plan to improve traffic flow on and around Bayshore Boulevard on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, June 29, 2015.

Phase 2 of the Bayshore Boulevard construction is widening part of the road to allow two outbound lanes between Tampa Point Boulevard and SOCOM Memorial Way. Construction is scheduled to only last a few months with a projected completion date of September 15.

Phase 1, nearing completion now, is extending Zemke Road to allow base personnel direct access to Bayshore Boulevard from that road. Phases 3-5 are scheduled to start and be completed by January 2016. These phases will further expand Bayshore Boulevard to two outbound lanes, move traffic lights, and relocate barriers at the Bayshore gate.

"MacDill is fortunate that over the last several years the Air Force has invested in improving our roadways, including surface improvements, drainage and realignment," said Robert Hughes, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron director. "At the end of last year, several projects were funded at a cost of approximately $8 million that will continue to improve our circulation around the base."

Phase 4, slated to start November 16, will have the most impact on base traffic, but will only last approximately 30 days. During this phase, the existing traffic light at CENTCOM Avenue and South Boundary Road will be relocated. Drivers should utilize other routes and gates if they don't want to get caught up in the detour.

"There are several locations throughout the base that will have some repair work done over the next several months, but the most significant change is the Bayshore Boulevard construction project," said Hughes. "The 6th Civil Engineer Squadron has a plan in progress to minimize the traffic disruptions from these road improvements as much as possible, but we ask that drivers be mindful of traffic detour signs and courteous to the workers making the improvements."