Whiteman gate construction and traffic delays

509th Security Forces Squadron members check ID?s as several Airmen and civilian personnel enter Whiteman?s Arnold gate, early in the morning Oct. 7, 2010. Starting October 18th traffic delays will increase as one of two construction phases will begin to replace the speed breakers entering and exiting the Spirit gate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston)(Released)

Whiteman faces more morning traffic delays: Plan ahead

Published Oct. 13, 2010
By Senior Airman Kenny Holston
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Traffic flow on and off Whiteman over the next month will continue to change in order to replace speed breakers, a necessary project to be completed prior to the first snowfall.

Starting Oct. 18, construction crews will start replacing the breakers at the Spirit gate two lanes at a time. In an effort to minimize delays and congestions at this Air Force Global Strike Command Base, The 509th Security Forces Squadron will implement a plan to continue to meet traffic patterns for inbound and outbound traffic by limiting the flow to either inbound or outbound only.

"Our goal is to keep the traffic flowing as normally as possible in order to minimize delays for anyone accessing the base," said Master Sgt. Craig Vorhees, 509th SFS NCO in charge of police services.

While the construction is ongoing, both open lanes will be redirected to inbound only- except between 3:30-5:30 p.m. where the flow will reverse to allow a smooth exit. This flow pattern will not change as the construction moves from the inbound lanes to the outbound.

"People accessing the base also have the option to use one of our other gates, both the Arnold and LeMay gates will be open 24/7 throughout the construction," said Sergeant Vorhees.

"The visitor center outside of the Spirit gate will remain open and is still to be used to sign on visitors and handle other related situation," added Sergeant Vorhees.
Anyone working on base or needing to get off base for appointments needs to remember to plan ahead as traffic delays could potentially be long," the sergeant reiterated.

Taking individual responsibility for mission success is amongst one of the seven Air force Global Strike Command core values.

"These morning traffic delays make punctuality a bit more challenging," Senior Airman Charles Quinsay, 509th Security Forces Squadron "However, accomplishing overall mission success starts with the individual." "If waking up 45 minutes earlier to get to work on time is what it takes, then that's what we we'll do."