West Gate closes for construction

  • Published
  • By Corey Dahl
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AFB, Colo. --  Drivers accustomed to using Peterson's West Gate will have to find an alternate route in the coming weeks.

Starting July 30, the West Gate will be closed for construction until early November. Drivers will be re-routed to Peterson's North and East gates, which will both extend their service hours to help accommodate the extra traffic.

The closure is the last step in a massive $12.7 million renovation project the gate has been undergoing for several months. With traffic halted, workers will be able to complete a new bridge and visitor's center and add better force protection measures at the West Gate, which is slated to become the base's main gate when it reopens.

"Total closure, although there's some inconvenience in the beginning, is going to be much better in the long term," said Dave Clapp, deputy base engineer with the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron. "There's going to be much better access, much better flow and in a lot less time."

The base had originally scheduled a partial closure for the project, Mr. Clapp said, leaving open one lane each way throughout the project. But after speaking with construction crews, officials decided to go with a total closure, which will allow the work to finish before winter weather sets in.

"With partial closure, we would have had paving work going on through November, and, if cold temperatures came earlier, the closure would have lasted until spring," Mr. Clapp said. "We didn't want to take that risk."

The 13,500 drivers who use the West Gate daily are being asked to use the East Gate, off Marksheffel Road, if possible. Traffic at the North Gate is already heavy, said Master Sgt. Shaun Guilfoil with Security Forces, while the East Gate has the capacity to handle extra cars.

"A lot of people already use the North Gate," he said. "At the East Gate, we've got a lot more room for traffic to stack up."

Guards from the West Gate will be moved to the North and East gates during the closure to help with traffic flow, Sergeant Guilfoil said. Both Colorado Springs and El Paso County police are also ready to help with traffic backups on city and county streets, if needed.

"We're hoping it doesn't get that bad," Sergeant Guilfoil said. "But in case it does, we should be ready for it."

(The West Gate closes July 30 and is scheduled to re-open Nov. 4. While the West Gate is closed, the North Gate will remain open 24 hours daily. The East Gate will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.)

 

United States Space Force logo

Official United States Space Force Website