Luke leaders evaluate North Gate intersection

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Coupaud
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Base leaders are working with Glendale traffic officials to improve the traffic situation at the North and Lightning Gates. 

The absence of a left-turn arrow for drivers coming out the gates causes confusion for many drivers and presents a safety concern.

According to Ben Bruce, 56th Fighter Wing Safety Office, drivers coming from either side of the base face a challenging situation that could be improved with the addition of a left-turn arrow to the traffic control lights.

"Drivers coming from either the support or operational side of the base and crossing or turning onto Litchfield Road are often unsure of the intentions of oncoming traffic," Mr. Bruce said. "It can be a difficult intersection to figure out, and when drivers don't always do what they're supposed to, it becomes a safety concern." 

From the support side of the base going out the Lightning Gate, there are three lanes at the Litchfield Road intersection. The left lane is for left turns only, the center lane is to cross Litchfield Road only and the right lane is only for drivers making a right turn onto Litchfield Road.

According to Mr. Bruce, although there are signs pointing out the purpose of each lane, drivers occasionally don't heed the signs and drive through the intersection in an unsafe and improper manner.

Additionally, visibility issues are a concern for drivers. Drivers coming from the operational side of base to cross Litchfield Road to run right may not be visible to drivers at the intersection on the support side of the base.

"If there are vehicles in the left turn lane on the base' s operations side of the intersection, they may act as a 'screen' that prevents drivers from seeing oncoming vehicles that intend to cross the intersection," Mr. Bruce said. "Without a left turn arrow, driver confidence is reduced when trying to make a left turn from the support side of base in that situation."

As base officials work with the city to get the intersection improved, the staff of the safety office emphasizes that drivers need to pay close attention at this intersection and communicate better.

"The City of Glendale worked well with us to get the lights installed at the Kachina Gate," Mr. Bruce said. "We're working toward getting a dedicated left-turn arrow added to this intersection, but there's a process to follow and it takes time."

According to traffic engineers from the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, the base hired a consultant to do a traffic study the at the intersection. The contractor determined that the intersection doesn't get enough traffic to justify the city making an immediate change to the signal equipment.

However, Mr. Bruce said base leaders may look at buying and installing the equipment with base funds.

"There are still options," Mr. Bruce said. "But until a change happens there, drivers need to be extra vigilant and patient, and use their turn signals to better communicate with other drivers."