CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A construction project is currently underway at the Dorchester Gate on Charleston AFB and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 24.
The project, which was awarded Sept. 27, 2007, was created in an effort to make the traffic flow quicker and smoother while entering or exiting through the front gate.
"What we're doing is improving the original design of the gate because it was designed to slow down traffic for force protection, but it slowed traffic down a little too much," said Bill Dean, 437th Civil Engineer Squadron Engineering Flight chief. "So now we're trying to maintain the same level of force protection, but also make it easier for vehicles to get through quicker."
The construction project had two phases which began with approval processes with the South Carolina Department of Transportation for the first phase in November 2007. The first phase was completed in April when contracted construction workers made it possible for people to make right turns from both outbound Dorchester Gate lanes. In the second phase, most of the changes include widening inbound lanes so turns aren't as sharp and to make merging easier. Also, they have already replaced Crape Myrtle trees with Palmetto trees to increase visibility for drivers who are coming around the curved roads surrounding the visitor control center, which is what 437 CES officials refer to as the "eyeball."
Mr. Dean also said they will be working to improve the drainage system by the entry control point.
The workers, who are contracted by the base through an off-base agency, will be working approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and leadership would like to remind people to drive slowly and safely when around the construction zones on base.
"This will be a subtle change that will hopefully improve everyone's daily commute and make life easier for the 437 SFS and just ease the overall process of getting in and out of the base," said Mr. Dean. "People have already seen a great difference in traffic back-up from the change we made several months ago, so hopefully this just makes it even better."