Portion of South Patrick Drive to close for construction soon Published Dec. 11, 2013 By 45th Civil Engineer Squadron 45th Space Wing PATRICK AFB, Fla. -- Starting Dec. 16, a section of S. Patrick Drive will close for road work associated with the construction of the new Air Force Technical Applications Center building. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to W. Tech Road, and drivers are asked to use extreme caution while transiting through the detour. Speed limit signs will be posted and security forces will conduct random patrols of the area. "In addition to reducing their speed in the detour, drivers should also be aware of pedestrians in this area," said Stuart Copeland, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron construction manager. "AFTAC employees use this area for parking and to walk to and from their building, so vehicle operators should demonstrate extra care when taking the detour." There are no vehicle height or weight restrictions to access the single-lane detour, so commercial traffic can continue uninterrupted. Traffic will be diverted during the weekends as well as during the regular work week. "We understand that construction detours can cause disruptions in people's normal driving routine, but we anticipate a superb end-product, which will actually improve traffic flow in the area once AFTAC occupies the new facility," said Copeland. The detour is expected to continue until Jan. 10.