Steps being made to ease traffic congestion Published June 4, 2010 By Staff Report ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Russell Parkway Gate has been closed since Monday to make important anti-terrorism improvements. This has increased traffic at other base gates; however, 78th Air Base Wing officials are listening and already implementing changes to improve traffic flow at those gates. Officials are working diligently with the Houston County Sheriff's Office and other agencies to improve the traffic flow for both on-and off-base traffic. There are plans to install a temporary four-way stop at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Byron Street, to help with traffic leaving the base via Gate 5, the MLK gate. Drivers may also leave the base via Gate 4, the Commercial Truck gate, to make a right turn only onto Highway 247. "We understand the challenges of increased traffic with the closure of the Russell Gate, and we are working hard to address issues as they occur," said Col. Lee-Ann Perkins, 78th Mission Support Group commander. "Our experts are analyzing the traffic at all gates to identify the best improvements, and we ask for your continued patience." Traffic lights on base have already been adjusted according to traffic needs, and Robins is working with Houston County officials to have some of the traffic lights on Highway 247 adjusted. Additionally, the 78th Security Forces Squadron and traffic engineers in the 78th Civil Engineering Group are analyzing traffic flow numbers from each gate and looking at several other options to improve traffic as the construction continues. In the meantime, commuters are encouraged to use the Green Street and Air National Guard gates for entering and exiting the base, as these gates have the lightest traffic.