95th CE works to improve Edwards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William A. O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 95th Civil Engineering and Transportation Directorate is always working to ensure the upkeep of Edwards' structures and roads, along with overseeing all construction projects.

These construction projects help to support Edwards' unique mission and enhance the quality of life for all who live and work on base.

The biggest projects currently under way are the reconstruction of the North and South gates and the housing demolition and construction.

Base personnel may have also noticed construction recently on Fitzgerald and Lancaster boulevards, Forbes and Wolfe avenues, as well as the road striping upgraded in school zones.

Additionally, the 95th CE has recently completed or is nearing completion on the following projects:

· Various repairs completed on buildings, including HVAC systems and utilities.

· Parking lots slurry sealed and striped.

· North Gate and South Gate construction, which is projected to be completed by Oct. 1

"Accomplished through base contracting and Army Corps of Engineers, the projects are all done on schedule and within the budget," said Ken Crawford, 95th CE project manager. "Road projects cause some traffic disruption, but we haven't had any major problems. Traffic control procedures are well planned and announced to the base before construction begins."

The 95th CE is currently working on the following housing units, as part of the base housing project:


· 39 Company Grade Officer's housing units in Tamarisk Plains.

· 61 Field Grade Officer's housing units in Acacia Hills.

· 20 Senior Officer's Quarters and 1 General Officer's Quarters  housing units in Palo Verde.

· All 121 units are scheduled for completion in early 2010.

· Demolition of two dorm buildings.

· Demolition of 471 old housing units.

· New roads, underground utilities and landscaping in all the new housing areas.

"All projects are either on schedule or ahead of schedule," said Mr. Crawford. "Great effort by the housing construction contractor, Hunt Building Company, from El Paso, Texas."

Mr. Crawford also said he believed that the Army Corp of Engineers is doing outstanding job on housing demolition and road repair projects."

The job of the 95th CE is never finished; the following are upcoming base construction projects:

· More road repairs are being scheduled.

· Completion of the housing construction.

· West Gate reconstruction to begin after the Air Show and Open House.

With the 95th CE always ready to improve something on base, Mr. Crawford said he is pleased with the efficiency of all the recent construction and demolition projects and would like to thank all of Team Edwards for their cooperation.

"Many construction projects are under way at any given time," Mr. Crawford said. "These projects require close coordination with all of Team Edwards, and a good team effort. We appreciate the help and support from everyone on base."

Base construction and improvement efforts will be one of the topics discussed by Col. Jerry Gandy, 95th Air Base Wing commander, when he holds Edwards Town Hall Meeting in the Conference Center Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

*STORY CORRECTION: This article originally stated "20 Single Officer Quarters" housing units would be built in  Palo Verde; this information is inaccurate and was corrected to say "20 Senior Officer Quarters" will be built in Palo Verde. The correction was made Sept. 8 at approximately 3 p.m. PST.