Gate changes underway to improve traffic at South, Roy Gates

  • Published
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Base leaders have listened to workforce concerns regarding traffic flow at the gates during peak traffic times. There are several efforts underway to help make the daily commute to and from Hill AFB more efficient. Below are upcoming changes and construction to help with the traffic flow at South and Roy Gates.

South Gate

Commuters who use the South Gate to enter the installation in the morning will be restricted from using the dedicated left-turn lane located immediately inside the gate.

The left-turn lane for northbound to westbound turn movements from Southgate Drive onto Balmer Street will not be allowed between 5-8 a.m. Monday-Friday in order to improve traffic flow during the morning's peak traffic hours.

The left-turn lane restriction will not be enforced on weekends or federal holidays.

The change is scheduled to begin on Dec. 21.

People who need to access facilities on Balmer Street, west of Southgate Drive, between the controlled hours will need to proceed northbound through the traffic light and turn left on either Weiner Road or 6th Street.

Motorist may also legally make a U-turn on Southgate Drive; however, base officials caution drivers to use good judgement when doing so and to be courteous to other drivers, especially as everyone adjusts to the new traffic pattern.

Roy Gate

As part of an effort to reduce traffic congestion around Hill AFB, a third inbound lane is scheduled to reopen at the Roy Gate on Jan. 11.

A third lane was previously used at the gate to assist with inbound traffic during the morning's peak traffic hours, but was closed due to traffic and personnel safety concerns associated with the lane being open.

In order to mitigate those concerns and reopen the lane, construction of a concrete curb median between the two outbound lanes at the Roy Gate will begin on Dec. 26.

During the construction period, a temporary lane reduction will be required at the Roy Gate from two lanes to one lane for outbound traffic.

Base officials ask for drivers’ continued patience during this time.

When construction is complete, three inbound lanes and one outbound lane will be open from 5-8 a.m. Monday-Friday. Vehicles will use two inbound lanes and two outbound lanes at all other times.

Gate operating hours will remain the same during and after construction – 24 hours a days, 7 days a week.

The construction schedule is contingent upon weather conditions and could be subject to delays.

Law enforcement will be monitoring traffic to ensure motorists adhere to the change.

Since it will likely take a few days for drivers to get used to the traffic pattern, officials encourage people to allow for some additional travel time during their morning commute.

For more information, call Branko Vitanov at 801-586-2559 or Anna Robinson at 801-777-3673.