West Gate Active Vehicle Barrier installation to cause traffic detours

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Scott Saldukas
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Ramstein Air Base, Germany --  Individuals who use the Ramstein East Gate can take a deep breath because they will not be seeing the forest of orange traffic cones after Sept. 7. But members of the Ramstein community that use the West Gate should be aware of construction detours that will change traffic patterns for the next two weeks. 

A German contractor is scheduled to begin the installation of active vehicle barriers at the West Gate outbound lanes Monday Sept. 8 and inbound lanes Sept. 15 to 21. The following West Gate detours will be in effect starting 6 a.m. Monday. Given the volume of traffic, reduction to one outbound lane and traffic diversions, drivers should consider entering and exiting through the East Gate.
 
"West Gate ELVIS, accessed via the traffic circle outside the installation, will be open to vehicles for inbound traffic during the full duration of the construction, starting Monday, and continue through Sept. 21," said Capt. Brian George, Chief of Project Management for the 435th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Vehicles that use the ELVIS Gate for entrance will exit onto West Perimeter Road and may turn left towards Kisling Memorial Drive or right towards the south side of the installation, the munitions area. A dedicated right turn lane will also be created for vehicles turning right from West Perimeter Road onto Kisling Memorial Drive, near the Joint Mobility Processing Center, and turning left from West Perimeter Road towards west gate is prohibited."
 
Turning left from Kisling Memorial Drive onto West Perimeter Road will also be prohibited for the full duration of the construction and drivers who need to access West Perimeter Road should enter or re-enter the installation through the West Gate and make a right onto West Perimeter Road or enter through the West ELVIS Gate. 

"During the construction in the outbound lanes, the Ramstein West Gate will have only one outbound lane and traffic will be reduced from two lanes to one on Kisling Memorial Drive near the last traffic light before the West Gate. Near the gate, outbound traffic will also cross onto the inbound side for a short distance to detour around the construction and then re-enter the outbound side of the gate," said Captain George. 

Also, during the construction in the outbound lanes, the West Gate will have two dedicated inbound lanes that will merge into one lane after the guardhouse to accommodate the traffic from the West Perimeter Road. 

During the construction in the inbound lanes, Sept. 15 to 21, the West Gate will have two dedicated inbound lanes and one outbound lane. 

"Inbound traffic configuration and detour will be like the morning rush hour at the West Gate," said Captain George. "The other two inbound lanes will be closed due to the construction. After the guardhouse, inbound traffic will merge into one lane on the outbound side of Kisling Memorial Drive for a short distance to detour around the construction and then will re-enter the correct side at the intersection of West Perimeter Road." 

During the entire construction, temporary road signs, plastic barriers and road markings will be used to control traffic flow. Additionally, for traffic and pedestrian safety, drivers should reduce speed and remain vigilant within the construction area. For more information, contact 435th CES Project Management at 480-6486.