Fort Wainwright reopens Gaffney Gate with three inbound lanes and a commercial lane

Fort Wainwright reopened Gaffney Gate on Saturday, Nov. 7, after a summer construction project that added three inbound lanes, a separate lane for commercial vehicles entering and leaving the installation, an overhead canopy and an updated guard house, according to an Army announcement.

The Army says the new layout is designed to improve entry and exit for soldiers, families, civilian employees, contractors, visitors and commercial drivers. The project was meant to improve installation access, traffic flow and weather protection for security personnel.

"The improved gate configuration, including three inbound lanes and a dedicated commercial vehicle lane, will help us manage traffic more efficiently while maintaining the security standards required to protect the installation," said Jason Millet, Fort Wainwright's chief of physical security.

The canopy shelters the personnel who check people and vehicles at the gate from snow, rain and other Alaska weather. "The new canopy is a significant improvement for our security personnel, who conduct their duties outside in all weather conditions," Millet said.

The gate work follows an earlier round of access improvements on the post. In May 2021, the Army announced a project to improve security and traffic flow, with changes to the Main Gate, the Visitor Center, alternate gates, commercial-vehicle circulation, road surfaces and traffic management, according to an Army notice. That work was expected to continue into October of that year and was coordinated with planned Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities work at the intersection of Gaffney Road, Airport Way, the Richardson Highway and the Steese Highway.

Fort Wainwright asks drivers to follow posted signs, obey all traffic controls and allow extra travel time while they learn the new traffic pattern. Gate access information, traffic updates and installation notices are posted on the My Army Post App.