New entrance gets green light at Moody

  VALDOSTA — After Friday morning’s unveiling of a $10 million gate and welcome center on Davidson Road, all that’s left to polish off Moody Air Force Base’s new exit is the activation of the new traffic signal at the intersection of Bemiss and Davidson Road on Monday.

The Davidson Road gate, just south of the current heavily used Bemiss Road entrance, will increase outbound traffic lanes and alleviate congestion during the end of duty day hours, said 23rd Wing Commander Col. Billy Thompson.

“This gate will not only increase the safety and efficiency of the base,” said Thompson. “It also will upgrade the capabilities of our security forces. And they ensure the protection of our most important assets, that being our equipment and our people.”

While the Davidson Road gate will do wonders in managing the base’s outbound traffic, the new gate also features a 4,229 square foot visitor’s center with a post office inside that’s capable of handling commercial packages.

The new gate also features a truck inspection facility.

The base was given the notice to proceed with the project in October of 2008 and Friday’s ribbon cutting saw the massive undertaking nearly complete.

The complexities and difficulties involved in the project, plus its $10 million price tag, required a tremendous amount of cooperation and teamwork, said Brigadier General Dave Howe.

“It should not be understated how much went into this, and of course there are other benefits aside from the traffic relief,” said Howe. “For those who’ve ever worked on Moody or who live a short distance away, this is a big improvement in their quality of life and convenience. So I offer my congratulations to the Georgia Department of Transportation, Lowndes County, Team Moody and other great community leaders. Thank you.”

The Davidson gate hours run from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays and is closed on holidays.