Construction projects begin basewide Published April 9, 2008 By Monte Miller 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The largest construction plan in Scott Air Force Base history is being undertaken this year and will produce new roads, buildings and upgrades that will benefit everyone on the installation. The construction projects have already begun and will be ongoing until 2010. The 375th Civil Engineer Squadron, with assistance from Air Mobility Command, is managing the construction. "There are 71 projects totaling $188 million on Scott," Lt. Col. Edwin Oshiba, 375th CES commander, said. "I've never seen that much construction on one base in my 19-year career. It's a neat thing. It improves mission capability for Joint Total Force Scott and improves quality of life. What you see is a makeover, if you will, of a base that's been around a long time." Three-years of careful planning and programming by command and base personnel have resulted in the award of the construction projects. Due to BRAC 2005 and the strong support of the local congressional delegation, Scott's projects will include a new 120-person Airmen's Dormitory, the permanent facility for the Military Surface Distribution and Deployment Command, a new building for the Mobility Air Forces/Logistics Supply Center, a new squadron operations facility for the 932nd Airlift Wing, a new Child Development Center, as well as a new security forces facility. Some of these projects are already underway. Ground was broken for the new 34,000 square-foot, $13.2 million MAFLSC facility on March 6. It is expected to be completed in January 2009. "Everywhere you look, improvements are underway," Cheryl Bievenue, 375th CES Engineering Flight chief, said. "It is unprecedented how much work we have going on. We haven't seen construction like this ever. We'll have more than 30 projects going on concurrently while working with multiple contractors. It's a great investment in the base." Ms. Bievenue explained that many of the projects will include upgrades inside buildings that may not be as noticeable as a new building construction or road closings but are equally important. Another major area of the construction projects that will be visible to everyone on base will be roadwork. Important infrastructure improvements continue to be addressed across Scott to improve traffic flow, driving and parking conditions, environmental control systems and energy conservation. Expansion of Ward Drive into a three-lane road (w/center turn lane), coupled with the addition of right turn lanes at the Scott Drive and Winters Street intersection, will greatly improve traffic in that area of the base once the projects are completed. Normal traffic and parking may be disrupted at times, resulting in some detours and diminished traffic lanes for brief periods. Ms. Bievenue conceded the progress will bring its share of consternation. However, the end result will be improved working and living facilities and improved roadways and parking areas for Joint Total Force Scott members. "Be patient, there will be some discomfort with these growing pains," she said. "Normally what we do is invisible. Leadership has been working diligently to minimize the impact. We are making a strong effort to avoid construction during heavy on- and off-traffic flow times in the mornings and afternoons." The crown jewel and highest priced of the two-year construction projects will be the new U.S. Transportation Command facility coming in at just less than $94 million with completion set for 2010. Ground will be broken for the new 180,000 square foot facility April 3. The three-story facility will serve a number of functions for USTRANSCOM and its ground component, the U.S. Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. The new building will also provide a new home for the Joint Distribution Process Analysis Center. The contract also contains a project option to provide a 28,000 square-foot addition for a new Joint Intelligence Operations Center.