West Gate construction coming: work phases to minimize impact

  • Published
  • By William Papotta
  • 95th Civil Engineer Directorate
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  work on the third and final stage of a multi-year initiative to upgrade the three base gates will begin on the West Gate Feb. 15.

When completed, the West Gate will feature three in-bound car lanes, one truck lane, improved security measures and a new visitor's center located near Centry Circle.

According to William Papotta, 95th Civil Engineer Directorate project manager, the work will be phased to minimize user impact.

"Our contractor partners will do as much work as possible in areas outside of the existing traveled ways first, shift their work day to take potential conflict out of the rush hour periods, and compress schedules where possible to minimize the time that temporary Entry Control Facilities are required," explained Mr. Papotta.

Drivers will see the first evidence of that priority and experience their first travel impacts this month, as work will begin on the area of the project north and south of the existing Entry Control Facility area. In order to ensure safe separation from the work, the right-most outbound lane of Rosamond Boulevard, extending for approximately 1,000 feet each side of the gate will be closed to traffic. Traffic will continue on the remaining lane.

Phase Scheduling

Phase 1: Feb - Jun

During the first phase of the project, extending from Feb. 15 to mid-June, badge and pass issuance and ID checks will continue to be performed at the existing Entry Control Facility. The existing two automobile lanes and truck lane will be used for inbound traffic and the existing left-most outbound lane will be used for outbound traffic. During this phase, the majority of paving work needed north and south of the existing pavement will be accomplished.

Phase 2: Jun - Aug

During the second phase of the project, extending from mid-Jun to mid-Aug, ID checks will be performed at a temporary facility located on Rosamond Boulevard just in front of the Century Circle parking lot entrance. Badge and pass issuance will be accomplished at a trailer located within the Century Circle parking lot. All traffic will be routed to the north side of the existing guardhouse. Two lanes will be dedicated to inbound traffic and a single lane will be used for outbound traffic. Work south of the existing guard shack will be completed.

Phase 3: Aug - Sep

During the third phase of the project, from mid-Aug until mid-Sep, ID checks and badge and pass issuance will continue to be hosted at the temporary locations on Rosamond Boulevard and within the Century Circle parking lot, however traffic will be routed to the newly constructed pavements south of the guardhouse to allow the roadways north of the guard house to be constructed.

Phase 4: Sep - Oct

Following that work, expected to be completed in mid-Sep, ID checks will be returned to the original guardhouse, while badge and pass functions will be relocated to a newly-constructed and permanent Visitor's Center, accessed from the Century Circle parking lot, while some work that could not be done under the temporary traffic patterns is finished with limited single-lane short-term road closures.

What You Can Do

You can do your part to help alleviate the congestion by adjusting your arrival time if mission requirements permit this. Those of you who live south of the installation should consider using the South Gate. Finally, "rubber-necking" slows down traffic so please don't do it.

"Supervisors (are) reminded that employees may encounter unusual and unforeseen delays on some days and to consider that factor and whether excusing the tardiness may be appropriate," said Mike Maher, Air Force Flight Test Center . "Employees who are charged for absences for gate construction delays that they believe could not have been anticipated may seek second-level supervisor review of the decision not to excuse unavoidable late reporting."