Tulley Gate upgrades on the way

Commuters have asked for it; planners want it; and, it's finally coming - Tulley Gate will expand to better serve the community beginning in January.

The project upgrades the existing gate with improved force protection measures and increases the number of booths to accommodate increased traffic flows, according to Mark Flak, a Fort Belvoir transportation planner.

"This project is currently anticipated to begin January 31," said Flak. "This project is one of many included in the main post infrastructure improvements planned for the installation due to the influx of personnel related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure legislation."

The expansion adds a fourth lane to the Tulley Gate access control point and replaces the current guard booths.

"The plan is not to interrupt peak traffic periods," said Jeff Nesmeyer, physical security officer with the Directorate of Emergency Services. "The construction
timetable will be controlled by the installation so as to not bring dump trucks and other construction equipment into and around the gate during specific time periods to ensure we reduce as much of the expected impacts as possible."

Expected impacts will include increased back-ups at the gate, slower approach speeds to the gate and increased construction traffic around the site.

"Residents and employees working at Fort Belvoir are encouraged to use alternate gates to enter and exit the installation during the construction to help avoid any potential impacts," Flak said.

For more information,visit www.belvoirnewvision.com.
Editor's note: Additional articles on the Tulley Gate project and its impacts will be published in January to help commuters avoid construction delays and impacts in accessing the post.