Realignment construction project begins at Andersen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Joint Region Marianas senior leaders signified the start of the Arc Light Blvd. Realignment construction project during a ground breaking ceremony held Jan. 22 adjacent to the base exchange.

The $5.6 million project was a fiscal year 2009 Congressional insert proposed by Madeleine Bordallo, Guam Delegate to the House of Representatives.

"Today, we break ground on another project to improve safety, quality of life and operational readiness at Andersen Air Force Base," said Navy Cmdr. Keith Barton, Assistant Operations Officer, Naval Facilitiy Engineering Command Marianas. "Before there was a joint region, NAVFAC Marianas and our resident officer in charge of construction have been supporting the 36th Wing's critical military construction projects."

Reliable Builders, Inc., a local construction company in Tamuning received the contract for this project in September.

"Contractors have been busy over the last four months completing the design and getting ready for this day when construction will formally begin," Commander Barton said. "There will be some inconvenience along the way, but we will minimize impact by maintaining two-way traffic along Arc Light Blvd., except when we're installing the underground electrical [conduit]."

The project is scheduled for completion in June. Once the project is complete, Arc Light Blvd. will boast three roundabouts, wider shoulders allowing access for bicycle riders and sidewalks. Construction crews will also make improvements to the electrical infrastructure.

"Roundabouts improve traffic flow over a four-way stop because cars are constantly moving," said 1st Lt. Jeremy Eisenbrandt, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of construction management. "Sure, you have to go through a roundabout a bit slower, but you don't have to stop. "Putting in roundabouts makes traffic flow more efficient, faster and smoother. By not having a four-way stop, you don't have to worry about who's going to go when and people getting into accidents because people will be moving around the roundabout at a 15 mph speed limit constantly."

Senior leaders in JRM employed critical strategic planning during the implementation of the project.

"The strategic buildup has already begun," said. Brig. Gen. Phil Ruhlman, 36th Wing commander. "It began years ago with the construction of the Global Hawk hangar. It begins now and will continue to grow as the U.S. Marine Corps comes to this island as well as specifically at Andersen AFB. What's important about realigning the traffic flow with the facilities that you see sprouting up here across the base is to make sure we have safe and efficient operations on base as well as take care of our operational needs."

As construction continues the 36th Wing Public Affairs office will post details on any upcoming traffic changes and how best to navigate around the base during the construction.