Part of the historic Dockyard Gate is being shifted to make way for the widening of Pender Road to accommodate two-way traffic.

The western pillars and pedestrian doorway of the structure are being reconstructed ten feet west of their original position by A&M Construction and Correia Construction. Archaeologist Edward Harris, an advisor on the project, said the move would help protect the gate from getting hit by heavy vehicles.

Dr. Harris said in a statement: "For some years since the introduction of larger public and industrial vehicles, Dockyard Gate has become an endangered species, with container trucks and others hitting the edges of the mail pillars on many occasions.

"The decision to move the western pillar was welcomed, as it was probably inevitable that the gate would have been knocked down sooner or later. The scars from its encounters with heavy metal will forever be evident on the main pillars."

Dockyard Gate was completed in 1842 and was the gate through which many Bermudian workmen and apprentices passed each day, being logged in by the guards to keep track of their time. The main Gate is now wider, but it remains an entrance to Dockyard, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.