New gate opens Nov. 18 for Area A at Wright-Patt

88th SFS installation entry controllers verify requests for visitor entry; issue visitor passes, and enforce the installation traffic code. Entry controllers may search and inspect personnel and vehicles, as directed by higher authority. As Air Force ambassadors, installation entry controllers play a vital role on Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Al Bright)

88th SFS installation entry controllers verify requests for visitor entry; issue visitor passes, and enforce the installation traffic code. Entry controllers may search and inspect personnel and vehicles, as directed by higher authority. As Air Force ambassadors, installation entry controllers play a vital role on Air Force installations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Al Bright)

A new gate for commercial and passenger vehicles to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Area A opens Nov. 18.

The new Gate 26A will begin operations that day, and operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

The gate is located off State Route 235, also known as North Central Avenue, at the first traffic light north of the highway 235/Central Avenue and State Route 444/Broad Street intersection in Fairborn. State Route 235 is a divided four-lane highway at that traffic light for Gate 26A, with a single dedicated turn lane going in each direction. So the left lane is a dedicated turn lane for north bound traffic and the right line is the dedicated.

Base officials advise drivers to plan additional travel time in their commutes when first using the new gate in order to familiarize themselves with the new traffic flow as the gate will handle both passenger and commercial vehicles.

Commercial vehicle inspection operations will also move to the new Gate 26A, and vehicle inspection operations will cease at Gate 16A on Nov. 18.

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