Tyndall slated for gate remodeling Published March 22, 2012 By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall Air Force Base is scheduled to begin construction on its flightline gate April 10, with an estimated completion date of March 6, 2013. The project is estimated to cost approximately $4.5 million. "To meet Air Force Antiterrorism and Force Protection Requirement, this remodeling is necessary work," said Brigadier General John McMullen, 325th Fighter Wing commander. "It is important for Team Tyndall, as a whole, to protect our assets and personnel as best we can. The construction may cause inconveniences, but the results from the change will carry a positive impact on our mission." "The flightline gate is the only active gate at Tyndall that has no Final Denial Barrier System," said Mr. Macario Garcia, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of project management. "The scope of the project includes roadway repair and construction, replacement of security bollards, installation of FDB and support walls at Tyndall Drive and Alabama Ave, and construction of a Gate Canopy." The traffic pattern for Alabama and Tyndall Drive will be modified and, in addition, a new access road will be constructed south of Building 425, 325th Security Force Squadron Deployment Building, to connect Florida Avenue and Alabama Avenue. Traffic lights will also be installed at Dixie Rd. and Louisiana Ave. "Tyndall Drive will be limited to one-way traffic beyond the gate checkpoint, instead of the current two way traffic," said Mr. Garcia. "Most notably, drivers will not be able to exit the base on Tyndall Drive. Exiting will require using the new access drive to Alabama Avenue, which maintains the same alignment to Tyndall Drive." The traffic pattern for the southbound travel on Florida Avenue will remain the same. Florida Avenue will be expanded to three lanes at the Tyndall Drive intersection and will continue for an additional 400 feet north, more or less, to the new access road. "This allows for the removal of the stop sign on the northbound lane of Florida Avenue at Tyndall Drive," said Mr. Garcia. "This produces a continuous travel lane through the intersection to alleviate the traffic problem when exiting the base during peak traffic hours. Lastly, drivers will no longer be able to make a right turn on Alabama Avenue beyond the point of entry at Tyndall Gate." During construction, Tyndall Gate will be closed to base personnel. Two temporary locations will be opened. Dixie Rd. Gate will be open for traffic in and out from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Louisiana Ave. will be open for traffic in and out at all times. Due to construction efforts, pedestrian traffic is limited.