Shaw works affects U.S. 76/378 Published July 21, 2011 By 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Shaw is slated to start two construction projects on base that will affect traffic on U.S. Highway 378/76 along the base's south side starting July 25 and continuing to Aug. 2. The first project is intended to improve the railroad crossing near Shaw's main gate. This will be the first major upgrade to the crossing in 20 years, said Bob Jones, a base civil engineer. The $250,000 project, which is being handled by Boykin Contracting, will cause reduction to one lane each direction of the highway July 25 through Aug. 2. "Traffic in both directions will be able to get through at all times," a Boykin announcement released this week said. But once a lane is closed, it will remain closed around the clock until repairs to that lane are finished, Jones added. After being slowed down and squeezed down to one lane, traffic will be rerouted from one side of the highway to the other, Jones explained. Shaw is one of just a few Air Force bases still served by an active railroad operation, Rob Sexton, a base spokesman, said. Fuel for the 20th Fighter Wing's jets arrives by railroad tank cars from the main CSX railway line through Sumter, S.C. Jones noted the end result of the crossing upgrade will be a safer crossing for both highway traffic and trains. The second project, at Shaw's southeast corner, is part of a $3 million effort to create entrances there for both private and commercial vehicles instead of the commercial-only gate that has existed since 2004. The arrival of Headquarters, Third Army and Army Central Command, is bringing nearly 1,400 new employees and cars to that part of the base. Presently, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians who work in the area must enter on the opposite side of Shaw's airfield. They then drive around the airfield on narrow, two-lane roads that were designed and laid down decades ago for far fewer cars, Sexton said. "We're excited about joining Team Shaw and the new gate will provide key advantages as the influx of Third Army Soldiers and civilians arrive," said Col. W. Mark Kehrer, the Third Army deputy operations officer. "Safety is always a concern, and the new gate will address that through improved traffic flow, and less congestion at the front gate. Looking at the bigger picture, this will ultimately increase Soldier and unit readiness and efficiency." Slone Associates, the primary contractor for the job, will be adding turning lanes on U.S. Highway 378/76 to provide safer access to the new entrance, which may serve 2,500 to 3,000 vehicles per day, David Poythress, a base civil engineer, estimated. A new traffic light will be added on the highway to regulate the traffic flow. Work is set to begin on Aug. 1 and last until about the end of September. Besides speed restrictions, some lane closures will occur throughout the construction period, usually between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information the public may call Shaw's public affairs office at 803-895-2019.