Gate changes ahead at Tinker Published Aug. 15, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien OC-ALC Commander Tinker AFB, Okla. -- More changes are coming to Tinker's gates. On Aug. 29, the Midwest Boulevard Gate will open at 4:30 a.m., the TAC Gate will close and Vance Gate (No. 40) will be reduced to one in-bound and one out-bound lane. The Vance Gate will undergo construction repairs in a two-phase project and is expected to be completed in mid-October. Within the first phase of the Vance Gate repairs, curbs will be realigned and a new storm drain will be installed. In the second phase, repairs to the asphalt will be performed. "To take advantage of the new capacity provided by the Midwest Boulevard Gate, we're going to complete warranted repairs on the Vance Gate," said Thomas "Grif" Griffith, base civil engineer for the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate. "Traffic will be maintained through the gate at all times during normal hours." The City of Oklahoma City spearheaded the Midwest Boulevard Gate contract and hired Rudy Construction Co. of Oklahoma City to install a curve-weave pattern entrance, ID-check islands and guard shack with utility connections. The project cost approximately $350,000 and is funded by the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute. Upon completion, the Midwest Boulevard Gate will adhere to necessary anti-terrorism and force-protection requirements. But the "final-denial barrier system" will not be installed; that will be added at a later date. The Midwest Boulevard Gate can be accessed from 74th Street on the north side of Interstate 240 and is between the Douglas Boulevard and Air Depot Boulevard exits. Should the manning be available, the Midwest Boulevard Gate will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For further information or questions, call 734-3451.