Construction to build barriers at Main & West Gates

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony M. Ward
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Construction is expected to begin at the Main Gate for the installation of pop-up wedge barriers, cable fencing and warning lights Jan. 16. 

The project is estimated to be completed between April and May.

Cable fencing will be installed along First Street beginning at the guard shack continuing to the location of the barriers and warning lights just before Alamogordo Boulevard and Santa Fe Drive.

"This is needed for anti-terrorism reasons," said John Hamann, 49th Civil Engineering squadron construction project manager. "At the moment, if someone were to attempt to run the gate, there's nothing really stopping them from doing so. With these new barriers in place, the guards will be able to simply flip a switch inside the guardhouse and the barriers will pop up to stop the vehicle."

To ensure an intruder could not simply go around the barriers and continue further into Holloman, cable fencing will meet the barriers, blocking off all access to the base.

"This will act as a containment zone," said Hamann. "The containment zone will keep intruders funneled, preventing an attempted escape."

In the event of an intruder in which the guards would need to activate the barriers, a safety delay will be in effect to ensure no innocent bystanders are harmed.

"When the guards hit the button, activating the barriers, there will be what's called a four-second safety delay, giving others time to stop before reaching the barriers," said Hamann. "There will also be advance warning lights on each approach. These lights will start from flashing yellow, to solid yellow and finally to red."

Construction for this same project has already begun at the West Gate and barriers currently exist at the La Luz Gate.

Members of Team Holloman should expect delays entering and leaving Holloman through the Main Gate as only one lane will be open to traffic on each approach to the gate. Those traveling through the West Gate will follow a detour near the construction zone. No through traffic will be allowed through base housing.

Please visit the Holloman Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HollomanOnFB and Twitter account @HollomanAFB for any updates regarding this construction project.