North gate closed through Friday

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Terry Nelson
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 10th Ave. North gate will be closed to outbound traffic June 23 and will remain closed through June 27, as the current two-foot-six inch vehicle barrier gate is replaced with a new seven-foot-six inch personnel barrier gate. 

The new gate is scheduled to be in place by the end of July. When it is complete it will allow security forces personnel to close the gate without having to post a guard.

"Currently, even if the barrier gate is closed, security forces must have a guard on duty 24-hours a day to man it because it is only two feet off the ground," said Jeremy Rhodes, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron chief of Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements, who is in charge of the project. "When the new gate is installed it will allow security forces to close the gate and not have to post a guard, freeing up critical manpower." 

In addition to freeing up manpower, the new gate meets force protection standards that the current gate does not.

"We will also be extending the retaining wall and berm on the north side of the road, as well, to assure all force protection requirements are met," said Mr. Rhodes. "The replacement gate project cost around $275,000 to complete."

Incoming traffic will be restricted to one lane this week as well, as vehicles will be directed to the appropriate lane. Everyone should remain vigilant as to which lane is open. 

For additional information please contact Mr. Rhodes at 731-6149.