Illinois Gate under construction for repairs

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Construction has begun on Tyndall's Illinois Gate resulting in a month-long closure.

The project began Dec. 3 and is scheduled to be completed by Jan. 3, 2013.

During construction, detour signs will be posted directing all inbound traffic to Louisiana South Gate, while all outbound traffic will remain as normal through Illinois Gate. Sabre Gate will continue to function as normal. ‪

The project includes demolishing a portion of the center median and reshaping it to a less severe curve and reducing the curb on the second lane to be flush with the first lane.

"The gate reconfigurations will provide two true lanes to incoming traffic," said 2nd Lt. Collin Goodwin, 325th Civil Engineer project manager. "This will minimize traffic mishaps and improve traffic flow."

Industria Paschen was awarded the $34,000 contract for the project and subcontracted local company Apple Construction to perform the actual work on the gate.

"We prefer to use local contractors and business," said Mr. Bill Rocha, Industria Paschen senior project manager. "We want to keep the work local and they usually already have experience working on Tyndall or other military installations."

Apple Construction is a commercial contractor serving the Gulf Coast area. Concrete is the main material being used for this project and will be purchased locally.