Fort Bragg's main gate closes to begin 2-year bridge and freeway repair project

The main entrance into Fort Bragg is now closed as crews get ready to embark on a 2-year construction project to fix a bridge and the freeway leading into the base. 

The All American Gate closed at 5 a.m. on Monday and will remain closed until work is completed, which is estimated to last between 18 to 24 months into 2028. 

Soldiers and Fort Bragg staff will have to use one of the other 24-hour gates to access the base, such as the Yadkin Road and Canopy Lane gates. The visitor center in front of the All American Gate will remain open to process guests.

Dean DeMark, the deputy director of emergency services, asked people to stay patient and bear with crews over the next couple of years.

"This is going to be challenging the first week or two until everyone figures out what their new pattern is going to be for the next 18 months to 24 months while this closure is here," he said.

Jeff Williamson, Fort Bragg's director of public works, said the work was needed after crews found issues with the Gruber Road Bridge and All American Freeway settling years ago. He said the freeway was built over an old landfill years ago, which caused the road to slowly settle.

Instead of splitting those two projects up over three to four years, he said crews decided it was best to knock both out at the same time to reduce the amount of time construction would impact drivers.