HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Starting March 22, the 75th Civil Engineer Group will close the South Gate to the base for eight weeks to install new speed tables and a new wedge barrier. The construction will close all inbound and outbound traffic through this gate, significantly affecting peak flow travel times at all other gates.
Hill AFB is replacing speed tables installed in 2014 to improve speed-control performance. Speed tables are similar to speed bumps, but with sloping angular sides instead of a rounded profile. The original tables were constructed according to regulation, but the standard was deemed inadequate at calming traffic flow. The speed tables will be raised to maintain traffic flow more effectively while remaining in the specifications allowed by safety standards.
A wedge barrier is a powerful, wedge-shaped, hydraulic press that is deployed by security forces to prevent unauthorized vehicle access to the installation. Wedge barriers will replace the existing pop-up barriers. Wedges are more reliable and easier to service and maintain. The area will be equivalent to the features of the barrier system installed at the West Gate.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we complete these upgrades to enhance the security of our installation,” said Col. Ron Jolly, 75th Air Base Wing and installation commander.
The contract was awarded to Consolidated Paving Inc. and is estimated to cost $850,000. Construction will begin March 22 and is anticipated to conclude May 15.
For the first three weeks of the project, the intersection just inside the gate where Balmer crosses South Gate Avenue will be open to east- and westbound traffic only. After that, it will close to minimize traffic and speed the construction process. A temporary parking area will be established at the motorcycle training area with limited accommodation; however, starting in week four of construction, motorists using the East Gate will need to travel around the airfield to Wardleigh to access the rest of the base.
UTA has projected there will be no need to significantly change the bus route. The stop just inside the gate will be temporarily moved to the corner of South Gate Drive and 6th Street, and the pick-up times will alter somewhat. A timetable with temporary changes will be posted at each stop and made available on the UTA website.
The South Gate will be closed to foot and bicycle traffic. The East Gate will be open from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Southwest gate will be open from 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the West and Roy Gates will be open 24/7 for the duration. The Roy gate is now able to accommodate an extra lane of inbound and outbound traffic at peak travel times.
While the South Gate is closed, visitors will not be able to access the South Gate Visitor Center, instead they will need to access the West Gate Visitor Center, which will be open from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday.
The construction schedule is contingent upon weather conditions and could be subject to delays. View the full map and FAQs on the Hill AFB website, www.hill.af.mil.
For more information or questions, contact the 75th CEG project manager at 801-777-0458.
