HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base officials have announced a new commercial vehicle search area located on Hanscom Drive, off Route 2A in Lincoln, Massachusetts, will open June 3.
The newly constructed facility aims to streamline and enhance security processes for commercial vehicles entering the installation through the Sartain Gate.
“Completing the new commercial vehicle search area is a significant milestone to the broader Sartain Gate project,” said Demetri Papathanasiou, 66th Civil Engineering Division project manager. “We’re proud of the hard work and dedication that went into bringing this portion of the project to completion.”
The new search area is also expected to reduce wait times for commercial deliveries and enhance overall base security.
Since construction began in 2022, the commercial vehicle search operations have been temporarily conducted at the gate on Airport Road in Lexington, Mass. This gate, not intended for long-term search functions, will revert to not being used after June 3.
66th Security Forces Squadron officials were thankful for the partnership of Minute Man National Park personnel throughout the project.
“The CVSA was opened three months ahead of schedule due to the coordination with all parties and ends commercial vehicle traffic having to go through Minute Man National Park on Airport Road,” said Maj. Brandon Casso, 66th Security Forces Squadron commander.
The CVSA is part of a broader project to build a new Gate Complex, including new roadways, parking areas, visitor center, guard house, and all necessary security features associated with the access control point.
The 66th Civil Engineering Division, 66th Security Forces Squadron and the Army Corp of Engineers partnered to build the new CVSA facility. Officials broke ground on the project in November 2022 following several years of planning.
“This facility will not only improve our security measures but also ensure a more efficient entry process for commercial partners," said Col. Taona Enriquez, installation commander.
The commercial vehicle search area is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on weekends and federal holidays. There are no commercial vehicles or deliveries on Sundays.
For further information about the Sartain Gate project, contact Papathanasiou at demetrios.papathanasiou@us.af.mil. For information about the search area, contact the 66th Security Forces Squadron at Hanscom.Police.Services@us.af.mil.