HILL AIR FORCE BASE – Hill’s replacement for the Roy Gate, the new North Gate, opened Sept. 25 with final construction efforts expected to be completed in late October.
The new gate, located farther south from the former gate, adds a third-mile of queueing distance away from the oft congested 5600 South interchange and Missile Way intersection, while also opening up additional Enhance Use Lease land for continued Falcon Hill development.
EUL allows the Air Force to lease underutilized land to a private entity for commercial development, giving the Air Force monetary compensation for future construction projects.
Brett Christensen, Industrial Program Manager for EUL said the work was accomplished through EUL agreements, taking a year to design and a year to construct.
“The state of Utah was petitioned by the city of Roy and the Military Installation Development Authority to support the construction of a replacement gate to address traffic issues related to the existing gate, Roy Innovation Center and 5600 South interchange,” he said. “Ultimately the state generously contributed more than $19 million to the extension of roads and gate construction.”
Master Sgt. Darren Morrow, 75th Security Forces Plans and Programs Superintendent said the gate is compliant with the latest security standards is better for his fellow security forces members and everyone entering through the gate.
“The new facility incorporates the use of improved vehicle containment and physical security measures,” he said. “The updated electronic security systems provide better visibility and allows security forces more time for threat identification, reaction and neutralization. Additionally, the serpentine flow of lanes increases visual capability and breach reaction time for posted security personnel.”
The commercial vehicle reception area is now larger than it was previously, allowing customers and escorts to wait in the same vicinity with office clerks shortening delivery vehicle clearance time.
Morrow said vehicle search operations will remain mostly the same with the addition of more advanced detection equipment.
Construction has been accomplished by Engage contracting under the direction of the Air Force, MIDA and Falcon Hill.
Christensen acknowledged the ongoing assistance of civil engineers and security forces during the design and construction phases of the project.
He also expressed his gratitude to the civil engineer plumbing shop for extending the gas line to the project and security forces physical security manager for providing reliable and hands-on support.
Work on the North Gate will be completed by the end of October, but construction at the 5600 South interchange will continue for the next two years.
The new gate is open from 4:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. The commercial vehicle search area is open from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
“The new facility greatly improves the working conditions and quality of life for our posted security forces, Team Hill members, mission partners and delivery support personnel,” Morrow said.
Hill’s next EUL gate project is expected to begin in early 2025, in association with the 1800 North interchange. The gate will connect to Wardleigh Rd. at Maine St. and will be paid by the state of Utah in exchange for the land needed to build the new interchange.
The next gate construction is expected to be completed by early 2027.