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New gate, other buildings slated to open

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandria Mosness
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Many different construction projects in progress across the installation are scheduled for completion in the coming months.

The new east gate is scheduled to open in early December.

"The construction of the new gate is scheduled to be completed around Thanksgiving and should be open the first week of December," said Andy Bigelow, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron programs flight chief. "It will be open to the general populous to use."

This gate will make it easier to come into the base for the Air Force and Army personnel who work on the east side of base, Bigelow added.

The new gate will share an entry point with the commercial gate, but each will have their individual sections and will be able to withstand the estimated amount of traffic, according to 20th CES officials.

Although the new gate adds a change to the base, the community can expect the same professionalism and courtesy from security forces when entering Shaw Air Force Base, said Capt. David Celeste, 20th Security Forces Squadron acting commander.

The 20th SFS will add additional shifts to the posting requirements.

While a majority of the construction has happened inside the base, the local community has been heavily involved with the new gate.

"We have been working very closely with Sumter city and county on this project," Bigelow said. "Many have passed and seen the new light that was recently installed. It will increase safety for everyone and help relieve some of the traffic on base. Instead of having to drive all the way around perimeter road, patrons can access their work spaces through the east side."

The new gate is not the only construction happening on base.

Due to repairs to a bridge on Frierson Road just east of the north gate, the road and the north gate is closed. State engineers recently downgraded the bridge's capacity and said in order for fire engines, school buses and other heavy vehicles to use the bridge, it must be reinforced. All Shaw non-commercial traffic will be concentrated at the gate at Frierson Road on South Carolina 441 (Peach Orchard Road) and the main gate on U.S. Highway 378.

Repairs are expected to be completed by Oct. 31, Bigelow said. However, inclement weather can push back the date.

The 20th CES is not only busy with the gates, but recently cut the ribbon to a 144-men dormitory, which will be fully occupied in November, Bigelow said.

As we transition to the new living areas, the 20th CES is renovating the older dorms to increase the quality of life for our Airmen in the dorms, he added.

The 20th CES stays busy year round with continuing projects to maintain the roads on Shaw and other aspects to keep Shaw up to par.

"We also have a demolition program on Shaw," Bigelow said. "The goal in the Air Force is to reduce the carbon foot-print, so we are tearing down old buildings that cost an excess of money to keep up and replacing with new facilities that are the right size and more eco-friendly."

As quality of life improves for Airmen living on base, Shaw has also upgraded the base exchange, which is scheduled to open, along with a gas station in mid-November.
While many changes are taking place at Shaw, the 20th CES will continue to stay busy as they strive to keep up with transformation and ensure the base stays nice for years to come for future Airmen who will call Shaw home one day.