Vance Gate to remain open until Sept. Published July 31, 2009 By Brion Ockenfels Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Vance Gate was originally scheduled to close July 26, but now will remain open until Sept. 8 when it will be closed for construction until Jan. 19. Vance Gate along Sooner Road will close for nearly five months while construction of a final denial barrier system is installed. The delay is due to equipment availability for the upgrades, according to 72nd Civil Engineering Directorate officials. Some driver may be relieved that they have 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. 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. Other projects Munitions Road - reminder that Munitions Road is scheduled for repaving from Alert Road to 59th Street until Dec. 11. Eaker Gate, I-40 twin bridges - construction is delayed and scheduled to begin mid- to late-August. The twin bridges spanning I-40 from Southeast 29th Street to the Eaker Gate will undergo light demolition to remove loose concrete before repairing surfaces, joints and sidewalks. One of the two bridges will remain open so traffic can flow in both directions.