New year brings new construction Published Dec. 23, 2009 By Micah Garbarino Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Two of Tinker's busiest gates are scheduled for closure to install a new barrier system Jan. 19. This is good news if your New Year's resolution is to learn patience. More good news is that officials say the closed-for-construction Vance Gate (Gate 40), along with two others, will open before the other gates are closed. The Turnbull Gate (Gate 3) will be opened to help with the flow of traffic and the new Midwest Boulevard (Gate 32), has been open since November. "CE is working very close with the Security Forces Squadron on these gate improvements," said Mark Nabywaniec, 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate program manager. The Tinker Gate, which feeds Air Depot Boulevard, is scheduled to close from Jan. 19 to Oct. 7, while the Liberator Gate, off of Douglas Boulevard, is scheduled to close from Jan. 19 until June 3. The new "final denial barrier system" features arresting cables similar to those used on runways, and 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 restrict access to Tinker's air park during construction and 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. 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 and 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," he said. "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." For graphics of the gate closures see page 19 in this week's Tinker Take Off. Check out the Jan. 8 issue for a full map of all available base gates.