Grissom main gate relocates due to construction Published Feb. 11, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Traffic flowing in and out of Grissom will change Monday as the contractors move forward on a $3.2 million front gate renovation project. Traffic into and out of the base will be re-routed beginning at 6 a.m. Feb. 12. Traffic will be routed to the North Gate located on Thunderbolt Avenue, which is west of Foreman Avenue and about two blocks north of the current main gate at the intersection at Hoosier Boulevard and Foreman Avenue. "We'll have signs up in the vicinity direction people to the gate," said Maj. Randall Stivers, 434th Security Forces Squadron commander. During the relocation, two 'guard shacks' will be in operation at the North Gate. The first gate is where identifications and credentials will be checked. Those not having the proper identifications can be routed down Alan Olsen Drive, which has been marked as a 'one-way' street. Those requiring a vehicle pass will be directed to the second guard shack located just inside the gate. Traffic is scheduled to be re-routed until August while construction crews work to help alleviate traffic congestion and improve security at the main gate. "The new main gate will give security forces a modern way to protect the assets on the base while at the same time making it possible to adjust check-point security levels as needed," said Brig. Gen. Dean Despinoy, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. Part of the gate project includes a new visitor center, truck inspection facility, and a new parking area. During the detour period Major Stivers asked that personnel use extreme caution. "The only thing between us and are a few barriers, so we urge people to use caution," he said. The 434th Air Refueling Wing is the largest unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Through payroll, contracts and construction, Grissom provides an annual economic impact of approximately $100 million to the local area.
