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Tinker, Liberator Gate closures pushed to Jan. 25, plan on alternate routes

  • Published
  • By Micah Gabarino
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The plan to close two of Tinker's busiest gates for construction is still moving forward ... almost.

Cold weather delayed construction at the Vance Gate (40), and the Tinker Gate (1) will remain open until that project is finished. Now, both the Tinker Gate and Liberator Gate (21) will close Jan. 25. One week later than expected.

According to the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate, two weeks of frigid weather have made it impossible to lay asphalt at the Vance Gate. With temperatures now above 40 degrees, the project will be completed and they will move on to the other gates.

Security Forces has a plan to handle the traffic crunch. Once the Tinker Gate shuts down, Security Forces will open up the Turnbull Gate (3). To alleviate traffic from the Liberator Gate closure, the Hruskocy Gate (7) will be modified to allow three lanes of incoming traffic.

The Tinker Gate, which feeds Air Depot Boulevard, is scheduled to close from Jan. 25 to Oct. 14, while the Liberator Gate, off of Douglas Boulevard, is scheduled to close from Jan. 25 to June 10.

The new "final denial barrier system"  will have new security features that will allow gate guards to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering base.

"The system is a required upgrade to our anti-terrorism and force protection measures at Tinker," said Lt. Col. Troy Roberts, 72nd Security Forces Squadron commander.

The Tinker Gate closure will shut down Air Depot Boulevard on base from Interstate 40 to Arnold Avenue. In addition to the barrier system, a new visitor's center will be built, replacing the one at the Eaker Gate, the roof on the guard posts will be replaced and Air Depot Boulevard will be re-aligned, said Mr. Nabywaniec. This will cause those looking for quick access to the north side of base - the commissary, the base exchange, the Tinker Club or the golf course - to find an alternate route. There will be access to the Air Park from inside the base, but during construction, access to the general public will be restricted.

The Liberator Gate closure, which provides access from Douglas Boulevard, will affect those who work in the industrial buildings in the southeast portion of the installation, including Bldg. 3001. The Midwest Boulevard gate located on South Midwest Boulevard, north of Southeast 74th Street, will provide Liberator drivers an alternate route for getting on base between 5:15-8 a.m.

"We need people to be patient, and to avoid being part of the congestion problem by using alternate routes," said Colonel Roberts. "A multi-functional team with members from Civil Engineering, Safety, and Security Forces are all working on solutions to the traffic challenges associated with the construction. A great way to prepare for these challenges is find a couple alternate routes for getting on base. If one is backed-up then go to your alternate."