Spangdahlem’s 2015 Plan becoming a reality Published May 4, 2010 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Just a few short months ago, cuts to military construction budgets threatened to push Spangdahlem's 2015 Plan further into the future. This has been a common theme since the formal planning for complete closure of Bitburg Annex and transition to Spangdahlem began in 1997. Since then, the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron has remained steadfast and focused despite fiscal setbacks. Fortunately fiscal barriers have begun to fall, and during the past few months, the programs supporting Spangdahlem's 2015 Plan have solidified. In the near future, the area between the autobahn and main gate along the L-46 will be a flurry of construction activity for at least the next four years. This area, known as the Northwest Expansion, is 139 acres and will enable expansion to accommodate vital wing functions currently located at Bitburg Annex. The Northwest Expansion will sustain six major construction projects worth nearly $172 million. These projects include the infrastructure, such as roads, drainage, water, etc.; a fitness center, base exchange, middle and high schools; and a new entrance road to the main gate. The new entrance road, funded by the German government, will run parallel to the L-46 for one kilometer and provide queuing space to prevent traffic jams for our host nation neighbors on the L-46. One of the most important recent events is the Department of Defense Dependents Schools' commitment to construct a new high school and middle school, as well as to expand and renovate Spangdahlem Elementary School beginning in 2012. This $117 million endeavor is a lynchpin in the Bitburg Annex closure process and will facilitate conducting all school activities at Spangdahlem by the 2014 school year. Presently, construction of a new commissary is the only project that won't be completed before the 2015 goal. With the funding for this project currently projected for 2014, the new commissary will be completed sometime in 2016. When all projects are completed, the Air Force, DoDDS, Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency and Germany will have collectively invested more than $325 million in Spangdahlem's northern area since 2006. The projects not previously mentioned include 139 townhomes, a new medical clinic, a child development center and a traffic circle near the shoppette. We are not there yet, but Spangdahlem's 2015 Plan is a testament to the foresight of our civil engineering planners, dedicated support of our host nation communities and leadership's commitment to base realignment and quality of life for our Airmen and their families.