Arsenal Breaks Ground on ACP | Article

Pine Bluff Arsenal hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 19 to symbolically begin the construction of the approximately $25 million Plainview Gate Access Control Point and Commercial Vehicle Inspection Point.

“Today, we break ground on a very historic project,” said Larry Wright, with the City of White Hall. Wright is a former Deputy to the Commander for the Arsenal. “The new facility will be built just south of the existing gate, which was built in 1940. Approximately two years from now we will have the opportunity to hold a ribbon cutting at the new facility.”

The event marked the culmination of a decade of coordinated planning between the Arsenal, the City

of White Hall, and the Arkansas Congressional delegation. Wright mentioned current White Hall Mayor Noel Foster in his introductions. “Mayor Foster was unable to be here today, but it was through his leadership,

focus and influence this project is happening,” he said. “Through the panel of speakers selected to speak we will hear about how we got here and the journey to the future with the Arsenal.”

The groundbreaking was attended by approximately 140 people, including Arkansas Sen John Boozman (R-AR), Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Jeff May, Mayor-Elect of White Hall, Dr. Darrin Curtis, Ph.D., Deputy for Programs and Project Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Little Rock District, and current and former Arsenal Directors, regional civic leaders and members of the Arsenal Civilian Workforce.

Sen. Boozman said progress was being celebrated today. “Not that long ago we were fighting tooth and nail to help the Pentagon understand the value of this installation,” he said. “It truly was a fight. The good news now

is our senior leadership has truly bought into this, which is why we are seeing this progress. Sen. Cotton, Congressman (Bruce) Westerman and I were very proud to help lead the charge in Washington as a compliment to what the local leaders were pushing for here in Jefferson County.”

This new access control point is a vital piece of infrastructure for the future of the Pine Bluff Arsenal, said Sen. Cotton.

“Today’s groundbreaking builds upon our initiative to restore the Arsenal’s proud legacy by making this installation a critical part of America’s defense supply chain,” he said. “As the world becomes more dangerous, shoring up America’s munitions stockpile is a national security imperative. This starts with rebuilding America’s defense industrial base and Pine Bluff’s ongoing modernization expansion plays a key role. Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of meeting this security requirement.”

More than 500 commercial and passenger vehicles enter the installation daily, but once Hanwha Defense USA completes its munitions campus, it is expected to employee up to 400 employees. The number of vehicles entering PBA will greatly increase.

“A new security access point is needed to accommodate the Arsenal’s current manufacturing facilities and Hanwha in the future,” said Jeff May, White Hall Mayor-Elect. The updated Access Control Point can be seen as the gateway to the creation of new jobs at the Arsenal and means more economic growth for White Hall.”

May said he would like to thank local business leaders who got on board with this project.

“When Mayor Foster presented his Military Affairs Committee plan and what the goal and objectives were, everyone was generous and confident in him and the committee,” he said. “They accomplished what they set out to do. This is the largest military construction project in more than 15 years. I hope we can continue to build on this. I am proud I have been part of it.”

Arsenal Commander Col. Matthew C. Mason said today’s groundbreaking was an outstanding day for the Arsenal, the city of White Hall and the great state of Arkansas.

“Today is living proof of what we can achieve when local, state and federal leaders unite on a single project. The distinguished leaders before me discussed how we got here with years of teamwork and determination. Every word they shared honors the long road that brings us to this shovel line today,” said Mason. “They laid out the journey that got us here. My eyes are firmly set on the road ahead.”

The Arsenal Commander said today marks the official launch of the “Arsenal of Tomorrow”.

“This new access point is our front door. It will shape every single first impression of who we are, creating an entirely new perception of Pine Bluff Arsenal. We are building a world-class modern gateway designed to greet our Workforce, our community, our commercial partners and dignitaries from all over,” he said. “When they pass through this gate, they will see a profound statement – Pine Bluff Arsenal is here to stay.”

The new ACP, which will be built by Ross Group Construction Corporation, LCC of Tulsa, Okla., will include a visitor control center, gatehouse, guard booths, pedestrian shelter, active and passive vehicle barriers with integrated control systems, and an Intrusion Detection System and cybersecurity measures. It will enhance security and improve the safe flow of personnel and vehicles entering the installation through its primary entrance.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and finish by late 2029.