VICKSBURG, Miss. - U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) team members and visitors will soon have added protection from the elements and enhanced security at two locations on the Vicksburg campus.
Heavy rains and strong winds throughout the year reinforced the need to provide protection from the elements at entrance gates for guards, team members and visitors who currently pass through uncovered checkpoints when entering the installation.
The ERDC Security Office and Directorate of Public Works coordinated the construction by the Corps’ Mobile District for three large structures spanning each guard house and adjacent entries and exits.
“These structures will have 19-foot eaves, 27-foot ridges, a vehicle clearance of 15 feet, and will feature LED lighting,” said Stacy Turner, Mobile District resident engineer overseeing the project. The Mobile District was chosen for its excellent record in military construction and has also been selected to construct ERDC’s new headquarters building, slated to open in 2016.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Army antiterrorism funds are financing construction of the three structures in the amount of just over $1.1 million.
“In addition to providing cover for the guards, employees and visitors, these overhead protective structures will allow guards to check vehicles in all types of weather, to include searches in the event of higher threat conditions,” said Bill Roth, chief of ERDC Security.
The main entrance remained opened as crews constructed the foundations and eight 30 foot by 30 foot pilings, but is now closed until construction is complete (approximately six weeks), with traffic being rerouted to another entrance point. .
"This gate closure for 45 days is required to erect the steel structure and for safety concerns for the guards and traffic,” said Turner. “Once the main gate is completed and reopened, gate six at the back of the campus (at the Information Technology Laboratory) will close for placement of its 50 foot by 50 foot structure, with completion scheduled for July 21. ITL’s gate will have the same size overhead shelter with construction dates to be determined after relocation of a water line,” Turner said.
“The switch from the main gate to gate two, allowing contractors to continue work on the main gate, has gone really well,” said Roth. “Traffic has flowed freely with no issues, and ERDC team members have been very cooperative.”
The closure also includes the circular drive which loops in front of the ERDC headquarters building to the main gate.
“There is now one-way traffic around and in front of the headquarters building. Signs and barriers are posted to provide directions and guidance,” Roth said.
Each shelter is designed to blend in with surrounding buildings.
“Gate one will have its steel columns encased with masonry to match building 1000. Both gate one and gate six will have a brown metal roof. The ITL gate will have a green roof to match the existing roof on building 8000,” Turner said.
“The foundations are large, not because the structure is heavy, but because it is designed for uplift. The foundations must anchor the shelters to the ground during heavy winds. The ITL gate will also have a small shelter over the access card reader which is used when the gate is not manned,” Turner said.