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Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold Gate dedicated at Bolling

  • Published
  • By 11th Wing Public Affairs
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  The main gate at Bolling Air Force Base no longer exists.

In a dedication ceremony July 9, the main gate was renamed as the Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold Gate, named after the first and only five-star General of the Air Force.

Robert Arnold, grandson of the illustrious general, and Col. Terry Ross, 11th Wing vice commander, unveiled the plaque of General Arnold at the dedication ceremony.

In his brief remarks, Mr. Arnold said of his illustrious grandfather, "Sometimes the History Channel looks like Arnold's home movies," but added that his grandfather, "never took himself too seriously."

The gate is reopening after a 10-month project to renovate it into a state-of-the-art gate system.

The Arnold Gate is open 24 hours daily. During surge traffic times, 6:30-8 a.m., the gate will facilitate as many as three inbound lanes and two outbound lanes. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention to the traffic lights posted above each lane, which will indicate whether the lane is open or closed.

Pedestrians entering the Arnold Gate must use the turnstile entrance north of the gate structure, and pedestrians exiting the base must use the turnstile exit south of the gate.

Due to the increased manpower required to operate the new gate, some changes will be evident. Police personnel will no longer control traffic along the route on and off the base. Also, when entering the south gate, entry credentials will be checked at the gate area, not at the intersection of Duncan Avenue and Chappie James Boulevard, as before.

The south gate will close from 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, and the Firth Sterling/Anacostia Gate will reduce from three lanes to two lanes inbound during the morning traffic surge. The Firth Sterling/Anacostia gate will close from 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Contractor and commercial vehicles are still required to use the south gate. Any exceptions required for contractor and commercial vehicle entrance must be coordinated with the 11th Security Forces Squadron Control Center at (202) 767-5000.

The opening of the Arnold Gate will help diminish the delay of traffic coming onto the base during morning surge times. Motorists are still encouraged to use alternate routes to the south gate and Firth Sterling/Anacostia Gates so as not to limit all traffic to one single entry and exit point.

The north gate will remain open until the completion of the Frederick Douglas Bridge construction.