Officials act on suggestions, aim to decrease delays Published Dec. 4, 2007 By Aaron Schoenfeld 1st SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Base officials are asking motorists to develop a new traffic pattern at the back gate. The request comes in response to commuter suggestions on improving long lines and gate delays on days when lightning prevents multiple guards from standing outside without cover. One suggestion, presented by Madeline Sinagra, an outpatient coder with the 1st Special Operations Medical Group, will utilize both lanes at the East gate preventing back-ups reaching as far as Lovejoy Avenue, but it requires motorists to merge just before the guard shack. "This is a phenomenon that happens at the back gate," said Col. Michael Smietana, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group commander. "Traffic backs up ... because folks converge way too early making a single line of traffic. The entire approach to the back gate is a single lane, and it is designed to stack up in two lanes." Mrs. Sinagra believes vehicles tend to immediately merge into the left lane during inclement weather because motorists realize only one lane will be open and they may not be able to merge closer to the gate. She said it could also be that nobody wants to seem rude driving past cars that have been waiting in line, but it's most likely the fear that another driver won't let them in. "I wasn't complaining about it, but I thought I saw a solution to the problem, and I thought it would help," Mrs. Sinagra said. "The trouble is I think people are afraid they'll get to the gate and nobody will let them merge." She has dealt with a situation similar to this before. A few years ago, part of Highway 98 was closed for storm damage repairs. "Both lanes were utilized to the merge point, at which time the left and right lanes alternated one [car] from the left, one from the right," Mrs. Sinagra said. "Traffic flow was much smoother, although of course not totally eliminated." As motorists approached that merge point, a large sign was set-up instructing them to use both lanes and merge ahead. Mrs. Sinagra said people were very good about letting each other in. Maj. Marc Sheie, 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron commander, agrees with Mrs. Sinagra's suggestion. "I think if people can use both lanes and merge when the lanes meet, we can cut the delays almost in half," Major Sheie said. "This is also a good time to begin merging at the back gate. Upgrades will close one lane at that gate in February and it would help if people knew what they can do to help prevent delays there." The gate upgrade is scheduled to begin soon, but the part that requires the entrance lanes be closed won't start until around February. Officials hope to create one lane for inbound traffic and keep one dedicated for outbound traffic during that time. Aiming to prevent delays that require a merge, the project will be similar to the one at the main gate, and the enhancements will provide overhead cover for guards. That will allow more than one lane to be open during lightning warnings. "Although it's painful now, these projects are designed to help improve safety and traffic in the long run," Major Sheie said. "We've already seen improvement at the main gate, and as soon as these enhancements are done, inclement weather won't require us to close down any inbound lanes at peak periods. The merge shouldn't even be an issue then." Having personnel exposed to lightning became a serious issue a few years ago when an Airman on the flightline was struck and killed by lightning, Major Sheie said. Six Army rangers near Hurlburt Field were also struck by lightning in June 2007. Not all inclement weather is a problem at the gates. Security Forces personnel are only required to take cover during lightning warnings, which are issued when lightning strikes occur within five miles of Hurlburt Field. "When there is no lightning, the guards stand out in the rain and get wet," Major Sheie said. "There are no lane closures for rain - just lightning. It's a safety issue." Delays not caused by lightning warnings have attracted comments and suggestions from commuters as well. Another employee suggestion officials acted upon is the creation of a working group comprising base and county officials. The first meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5 and will be led by the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. That's in response to the delays of up to an hour or more that motorists heading Eastbound on Highway 98 have faced during peak morning hours. Many have called base officials blaming the new traffic backups on the construction at the front gate. "What is set up now is a temporary pattern that has actually helped stack more traffic in our inbound lanes, keeping more cars out of our turn lanes on [Highway] 98," Major Sheie said. "We don't see too many delays like we used to because of our gate. "That aside, we have been and will continue to work with the counties to see what we can do to make everyone's lives easier on 98," he said. "The Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputies have always done a great job when we've needed them for any delays caused by our gates." Other suggestions for improving the periodic delays thought to be caused by construction include completing the work at night and on weekends. The actual construction isn't usually a cause for the delays, but if it does become an issue, work can't be done at night for both cost and safety reasons, Major Sheie said. They will work on weekends for the back gate, he added. "Until the project is done, though, being considerate, allowing people to merge and working together will make things work better and move everyone along faster."