Moving in and out of the base will soon be faster and easier for the hundreds who live on Barksdale Air Force Base's East Reservation.

The Bodcau Gate has been in the works for roughly three years.

Base officials say there are about 700 homes less than a mile from the Barksdale-Bossier City property line. However, residents who live in those houses have to drive 15 to 20 minutes to exit the base.

"It's really about the partnerships between the local community and the base," says Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing Commander. "There was an artificial rift here for no good reason."

This would be the base's fourth working entrance cutting travel time from the east reservation to Bossier City to mere minutes.

"This gives us the opportunity for the buses to have easier access to the housing district and then to be able to transport the students in less time," says Bossier Parish School Superintendent DC Machen.

Because the road to the gate will intersect with existing Kansas City Southern railroad tracks, construction will involve a silent gate so conductors will not have to blow the whistle when passing the neighborhood.

Barksdale kids attend Kerr Elementary, Rusheon Middle School, and Bossier High School. Buses will start running the more direct routes Fall 2013.