Gate 7 closes for construction April 2

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Windish
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Drivers entering the base will be rerouted for 90 days when Gate 7, also known as the North Gate, and the Visitor Control Center close for construction beginning April 2.

The perimeter road, from the static display known as "Thor's Hammer," to Building 941, will also be temporarily closed, requiring drivers to use the longer route going past the contractor gate, or large vehicle inspection station.

To alleviate traffic and lines at the main gate, Gate 10 located adjacent to the Shoppette and housing office, will be open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Like Gate 7, it will be closed weekends, holidays and wing down days. A temporary visitor's center will be open next to Gate 10 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitor center patrons will enter the inbound lane to Gate 10 and park in the designated area to access the visitor's center.

The traffic light across from Gate 10 will be operational during the three-month period and will direct the flow of traffic into Gate 10. Traffic entering and exiting through Gate 10 will have the right of way when crossing in front of The Exchange and the Commissary. Drivers should be cognizant of stop signs next to the Shoppette and in front of Dormitory 1424.

"The main traffic concerns include the reactivation of the light outside of the base perimeter and the flow of traffic entering and exiting Gate 10 at the intersection near the Shoppette," said 31st Civil Engineering Squadron officials. "We would ask personnel to be especially vigilant in these areas until everyone becomes used to the increase of traffic and to keep in mind that not only will there be an additional stop light on the Aviano-Pordenone highway, but that when entering and exiting Gate 10 the main flow of traffic - from the gate towards the Airman and Family Readiness Center - does not have a stop sign, while the secondary flow of traffic - going from the Shoppette to the flightline - will have to stop and wait for traffic to clear."

The 31st Security Forces Squadron has standard procedures for military members to sponsor friends and family members who are either U.S. or non-U.S. passport holders:
- Military escorts for U.S. citizens must accompany their guests to the visitor control center located at Gate 10 and fill out an AF Form 75 for a three-day pass at maximum. All guests must have current passports and AF Form 75s on them at all times and remain with their escorts while on base.
- If guests require longer than a three-day pass or are non-U.S. passport holders, the military escort must contact the Large Vehicle Inspection Station gate to receive the entry authority list template. The escort must fill out all personal information for him/herself and the guest on the EAL and provide in detail a full request and explanation. The EAL requires squadron commander signature. Once the EAL is routed, the military escort must turn it into LVIS gate personnel, who complete the routing process through the Italian air force and will inform denial or approval of requests once background checks are complete.
- For more information, contact the visitor control center at DSN 632-4114. Its hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The LVIS gate (DSN 632-7896) hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.