Ft. Indiantown Gap permanently closing 10 intersections

(Lebanon) — A major military installation in the midstate will soon start shutting down several roads.

Colonel Robert Hepner, Garrison Commander at the Gap in Lebanon County, says unlike other bases, it’s had few restrictions on traffic or access to the facility for years.

But, that is changing starting June 20th.

The base will start closing 10 intersections, using locked yellow gates.

Hepner says it’s a sign of what’s to come.

“This will get people used to the traffic flow that’s going to be used on the installation when we finally put in the access control points and fence the installation in,” says Hepner.

Hepner says the project will simply bring Fort Indiantown Gap in line with national practices, and adds that even with the gates, the community is still welcome.

He adds: “It is simply just one way that we can make the installation just a little bit safer and control the access on and off the installation. We are great members of the community, everybody is still welcome here on Fort Indiantown Gap.”

The work is set to be finished by the middle of August. 

Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Charlie Dent is pushing for a fence that would run the entire perimeter of the installation, costing about $20 million.

The project, which is part of a defense appropriations bill, still needs to make it through the U.S. Senate and be signed by President Obama.

The intersections affected:

Phase 1a on June 20:
Service Rd. at intersection with Quartermaster Rd.
Rickards Rd. at intersection with Biddle Rd.
Engineer Rd. at intersection with Biddle Rd.
Macluskie Rd. at intersection with Asher Miner Rd.

Phase 1b on July 18:
Utility Rd. at intersection with Asher Miner Rd.
Range Rd. at intersection with Asher Miner Rd.
Main Tank trail at Range Rd.
Quartermaster Rd. south of Shuey Lake
Coulter Rd. north of Walmer’s Church

Phase 1c on Aug. 15:
Gorgas Rd. at the intersection with Boundary Rd.