Bayshore gate reopened

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ned T. Johnston
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The fourth phase of a five-part construction plan to increase force protection and improve the traffic flow on and around Bayshore Boulevard has been completed, reopening the Bayshore Boulevard gate to standard operating hours Nov. 23, 2015.

Phase 4 of the Bayshore Boulevard construction was scheduled to be completed December 1, but has been completed more than a week early. The gate had been closed since November 16.

"To the relief of many, we've been able to reopen the Bayshore gate early," said Robert Moore, the deputy director of the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron. "This is huge for our base populous who now have another option to enter of exit the base."

Phase 4 focused on improving force protection response time by allowing security forces Airmen more time to respond to emergency situations, which caused the need to shut down the gate.

"In the last three months, we have had lane closures, detours, and reduced gate hours to accomplish the concurrent projects," said Moore. "But, the worst traffic impacts are behind us, and the results will be worth the effort."

Looking forward, there will be more construction around base to stay aware of.

"By January of 2016, we will have finished repaving a large section of South Boundary to improve the road surface that has been made unleveled due to the construction," said Moore. "We are also going to be putting in a new traffic light at the Bayshore Boulevard and SOCOM Memorial Drive intersection.

The bright side of all this construction is MacDill is on an excellent track to have good roads and expanded road capacity serving our mission and people for many years to come," said Moore.