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Gate 29B to have a limited opening July 29

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Timothy Moore
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz --  Gate 29B here will be opening July 29.

However, it will only be a limited opening. This means the gate will only be open for certain time periods of the duty day.

29B will be open for inbound traffic only from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., and for outbound traffic only from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It will be closed on weekends, federal holidays and down days.

The gate, located on the southwest side of the base just off Valencia Road, will allow a quicker commute for those living south of D-M. Those living near the Rita Ranch area can expect an approximate 20-minute difference in their daily commutes one way.

"The gate will not be open to general public," said James Johnsen, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron project manager. "It will also not be open to commercial traffic."

29B will be open to active duty military and federal employees with a common access card and authorized Defense Biometrics Identification System cards/pass holders. Those personnel with DBIDS cards/passes must be authorized to use all installation access points.

Personnel will still need to gain an installation pass through the Visitor Center at Craycroft Gate. Also, commercial vehicles will still need to gain access through the Swan Gate Vehicle Search.

"The limited opening is due to the fact that there are still some aspects of the construction that will not be complete," Johnsen said.

Those aspects include features such as a pre-manufactured permanent gate house. When the materials arrive to complete the construction, the gate will be closed again for a short period of time to allow the contractor full access to the road to complete the project.

The upgrades to the gate were funded through the award money given to D-M as the winner of 2012 Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award. The improvements to 29B were one of several projects voted upon by members of the Desert Lightning Team.

"We would like to remind base populace to be cautious and patient while utilizing Gate 29B," said Master Sgt. Kurt Lugar, 355th Security Forces Squadron. "Construction is ongoing. Our Defenders will have limited protection from distracted or rushed drivers."

Gate 29B is scheduled to be fully opened by the end of September 2013.

"Please be patient with installation access procedures at Gate 29B, as with any new project we will have challenges to work through," Lugar said. "We appreciate all the support for this project, and look forward to better serving the Desert Lightning Team's needs."