Gibson-Louisiana intersection remade as approach to Kirtland altered

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  • By Kirtland PA
  • Kirtland PA
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  

Come Feb. 17, drivers entering Kirtland through the Gibson Gate will travel a different path. People will enter and exit on a remade, re-directed approach from the intersection of Gibson and Louisiana Boulevards.

The new entry and exit will conduct traffic south of the old intersection on Louisiana, passing the Kirtland Federal Credit Union branch. 

The project, in the making since construction began in September of 2018, was accomplished by the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority. AMAFCA has been constructing a storm water detention facility on an easement of Kirtland near the intersection, according to Jason Underwood, Kirtland staff civil engineer.

“This eventually led to AMAFCA partnering with Kirtland to issue a contract for the construction project at Louisiana and Gibson. The storm water detention basin will help reduce a [Federal Emergency Management Agency] flood plain that extends from Kirtland to the University of New Mexico, providing many businesses and up to 900 residents of the International District the ability to again acquire home and business insurance for their properties,” he said. “During discussions, the two parties realized the opportunity for this project to serve multiple purposes, and a decision was made to partner together and construct a joint project that will also be beneficial to the residents and workers on Kirtland AFB.”

While the detention basin is still in progress, Team Kirtland and their visitors will begin to use the new approach to Gibson this weekend. The new approach will be in-line with Air Force standards for installation entries and enhance security, Underwood explained.

“This curved roadway is primarily for Anti-Terrorism-Force Protection compliance and it will help reduce the number of vehicles inadvertently arriving at the Gibson Gate,” Underwood said.

Drivers heading east on Gibson not actually intending to enter Kirtland will no longer cross Louisiana toward the gate. The new configuration will be a T where Gibson meets Louisiana, with drivers having to opt for turning north on Louisiana to continue in the city, or turning south to enter the base. 

“This new configuration will provide the gate guards a safer environment with enhanced ability to identify a real threat and react accordingly. This will ultimately provide a safer environment for everyone on the installation,” Underwood said.

Starting Sunday, barriers, traffic barrels and new signage will take drivers where they need to go. 

“The traffic changeover will involve placing barrels--delineator cones--to have traffic entering and exiting the Gibson Gate using the new eastbound lanes. There will be one lane in and one lane out. This will allow the contractor to finish the westbound lane and demolish the existing Gibson [approach]. It will be accomplished beginning late Sunday morning and take about three hours to complete,” Underwood said.

Underwood said everyone involved would like to thank drivers for their patience and to thank AMAFCA and its contractors for the work they have done.

“This project has been fairly disruptive to the personnel who use the Gibson ECP, but the residents of the International District and Kirtland’s population will be positively affected for decades to come,” Underwood said.