Keesler Air Force Base officials have announced that the White Avenue gate, the base’s main entrance from U.S. 90, will close from Monday until about Aug. 10 to allow upgrades of security barriers at the gate.
The Meadows Drive and Pass Road gates will be open, and the Judge Sekul Avenue gate will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. work days.
More than 7,000 vehicles use White Avenue on an average day, according to traffic counts from Gulf Regional Planning Commission.
“The Police Department’s traffic division will be monitoring traffic patterns, and we’ll do what we can to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently,” said acting Biloxi Police Chief Linda Atterberry, “but traffic is going to back up, as it does anytime you have an interruption like this. Keesler is also doing gate security checks, as they should, so that will be a factor, too.
“What we’re asking all motorists to do,” Atterberry said, “is give yourself more time if you’re traveling to or near Keesler. Be patient and understanding.”
Keesler also announced that its visitor control center at the White Avenue Gate will remain open even though the gate is closed.
“The visitor control center is located outside the base perimeter and won’t
be affected by the closure of the White Avenue gate,” said Capt. Jason Williams, 81st Security Forces Squadron commander. “Visitors will still have access, and once vetted
through the VCC, they’ll be directed to one of the other open gates. Commercial vehicles will continue to use the commercial gate on the north side of the installation next to Keesler Medical Center.”
