ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- With the first part of a three-phase construction project kicking off at the Russell Gate Monday, Robins leadership is encouraging base motorists to plan ahead and adjust their schedules accordingly. The Watson, Green Street, and Russell Parkway gates will be closed for about 21 days each.
The construction being performed at the gates is a necessity to help ensure not only security but employee safety while traveling in and out of the base. Base leadership worked with local and state officials to maximize safety and minimize traffic hazards.
“We know this project is going to be an inconvenience for our people,” Col. Jeff King, 78th Air Base Wing commander, said. “But when all is said and done, we’ll have entry points that are more safe and secure. It will be worth the temporary inconvenience.
“We cannot impress enough upon our people the need to leave for work early so we can get through the three-week stretch at each of our busy gates with as little interruption as possible,” he added.
The construction involves the installation of traffic-calming devices and the installation of gate cameras.
“We’ve seen far too many people flying through the gates, and it’s just not conducive to the safety of our people,” said Col. Jarvis Baker, 78th Mission Support Group commander. “We have to get through this together. We’ve looked at all of our options, and we’ve come up with the most effective alternative to ease traffic flow during the construction.”
To help ease congestion, the MLK Gate will be open and increased to five lanes, for the same time periods each of the closed gates would normally be open. During each gate closure, the inbound and outbound traffic at the Martin Luther King gate will be the same as the gate that is closed. (See diagram above for specifics.)
Further, the Museum gate entrance will be used inbound only to access the base during the Russell Parkway closure, and the Air National Guard gate will be used during the Green Street gate closure.
Baker said there was a reason for planning the Russell Gate phase first.
“We chose the Russell Parkway gate to be first because we've got to make sure we get it done before weather potentially becomes a factor,” he said. “It’s our busiest gate.”
About the Project
Starting Monday, Oct. 31
MLK Gate: 5:30 to 8 a.m. – Morning Traffic:
five lanes will be open for inbound traffic only;
outbound will be closed
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Three to five lanes will be open for inbound traffic; two outbound lanes will be open
7 p.m.- 5:30 a.m. Closed (starting Nov. 7.)
Watson Gate: Normal Operations
Green St. Gate: Normal Operations
Russell Gate: Closed
Museum of Aviation Gate (off Ga. Highway 247): 5:30 a.m. to
8 a.m. – inbound only, 3 - 5 p.m. outbound only.
Starting Nov. 28
MLK Gate: 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Morning Traffic: five lanes will be open for inbound traffic until 8 a.m.; Outbound will be open
Watson Gate: Normal Operations
Green St. Gate: Closed
Russell Gate: Normal Operations
Air National Guard Gate - Open from 5:30 to 8 a.m. inbound northbound traffic only. Open for outbound northbound traffic only from 3 to 6 p.m.
Starting Jan. 5
MLK Gate: 5:30 to 8 a.m. – Morning Traffic:
five lanes open for inbound traffic;
8 a.m. to midnight –- Three to five lanes will be open for inbound traffic; two outbound lanes will be open.
Watson Gate: Closed
Green St. Gate: Normal Operations
Russell Gate: Open 24 hours