Beale Air Force Base ups personnel to reduce wait times and traffic at the Gates

“Following the closure of the Schneider Gate, there was an increase of traffic through the Doolittle Gate. However, we increased security personnel during peak hours to help expedite the base access process without compromising security,” said Col. Andrew Clark, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander. 

He said a work week traffic study was conducted at the Doolittle gate, which showed some increase in the number of vehicles. Adjustments were made to address it.

“The results showed we had an hourly increase of about 294 vehicles during peak traffic hours,” he said. “Although it was also determined that the traffic flow times hadn’t increased to a high level of risk, we continually work to assist in traffic effects through tactics such as additional Security Forces members at the Gates during peak hours. This allows us to expedite entry onto the installation without reducing security checks.”

Officials from the local California Highway Parol office and the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department, both of which patrol the four remaining open Gates, said they’ve received calls related to traffic backing up after the May gate closure, but noted nothing serious. 

“Sometimes delays are produced as a result of incidents or accidents occurring on the installation or near the Gates,” Clark said. “When these events occur, it often results in a temporary closure of installation Gates for safety and security reasons, thus creating a short-term backlog of traffic at all Gates.”

He said those delays are not a result of the Schneider Gate closure and they work with law enforcement – both on and off base – to reduce impact.

“We are actively looking into short-term and long term means to address the redirection of traffic to other Gates such as the Doolittle Gate. Base leadership is open to continuous feedback from both our airmen and community partners on ways to address concerns, and inputs will be reviewed to determine feasibility and the capability to execute,” he said. “We ask that the community be patient with us as we work through ways to address these effects because the long-term solutions may take time.”

The Schneider gate closure was meant to address security considerations on base. Some of the considerations were: Security Forces manning, infrastructure and overall force protection posture.