Vance Gate set to close Sept. 14-Jan. 19 Published Sept. 11, 2009 By Brion Ockenfels Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Vance Gate was originally scheduled to close in July before the project was postponed until Sept. 14. The Gate will remain closed for construction until Jan. 19. The gate along Sooner Road will close for nearly five months while construction of a final denial barrier system is installed. The delay was due to equipment availability for the upgrades, according to 72nd Civil Engineering Directorate officials. Some drivers were relieved that they had more time to use the gate which is located close to the base clinic, dormitories and military housing. Vance Gate, located about two blocks south of Southeast 29th Street, is the only entry and exit gate along Sooner Road. Visitors and base personnel who typically use the Vance Gate will need to find alternate routes. Other routes Mark Nabywaniec, program manager for 72nd CE, recommends people use the Gott Gate, located at the corner of Southeast 59th Street and Air Depot Boulevard, or the Tinker Gate, located next to the intersection of Air Depot Boulevard and Interstate 40. Mr. Nabywaniec said, "The new system allows gate guards to prevent an unauthorized vehicle from entering the base, operating in a manner similar to arresting cables found on runways and aircraft carriers." The cable system normally lays flat on the pavement ready to spring into action to stop and contain any vehicle and driver attempting to make an illicit entry. Earlier in June, the Tinker Take Off informed personnel that Liberator Gate would close for final denial barrier construction. "That upgrade originally scheduled for Liberator is now scheduled to begin the middle of November," said Mr. Nabywaniec. Other scheduled closures and lane restrictions due to construction can be found on Tinker's internal home page.