Peterson gets new 'face' with gate construction Published Nov. 22, 2006 By Steve Brady 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Recent utility construction near the West Gate was merely a harbinger of bigger things to come. A new main gate and visitor center at the west portal are scheduled for August 2008 completion - construction on the $11.8 million project should begin in earnest Dec. 3. Part of the construction includes adding a second bridge across Sand Creek and relocating part of Stewart Avenue to allow more room for traffic to queue at the gate. "It will be a huge traffic improvement," said Brian Hub, base project manager for the construction. "Right now we have one bridge that has two lanes in and one lane out. Once we build the second bridge, we will take the existing bridge and that will become three lanes in and the new bridge will be two lanes out." The west gate project is being conducted for a variety of reasons, including force protection. "The current configuration of our installation entry points was constructed prior to 9/11 and they have been modified to meet force protection needs of today," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Keyser, NCOIC of Operations Support for the 21st Security Forces Squadron. "This project will further enhance the safety of the Peterson AFB community by implementing state-of-the-art security equipment and related procedures. "As the West Gate transitions to becoming the main installation point for Peterson, the North Gate will become less used," Sergeant Keyser said. "This should prevent traffic backing up to the point where it impedes Highway 24 and creates traffic hazards." There is a plan to re-route traffic during different phases of construction. "There is a challenge to keep the (West) Gate open and do all the construction," Mr. Hub said. "There's going to be a little bit of disruption. We will try to keep it open, we will try to maintain flow, but it's not going to be perfect. This is a major project." Other project details include a new 4,300 square-foot visitor center, 600 square-foot guard house and a vehicle inspection canopy. Future plans call for relocating commercial inspection to the East Gate, and expanding hours at the East Gate when the new commissary and Base Exchange open this spring.