Commentary: Airmail Published Feb. 20, 2009 By Col. Michael S. Duvall 377th Air Base Wing commander KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Comment: I'm complaining about the gravel road used as a bypass for the construction on Randolph Avenue. I would think that as wide as that road is they ought to allow asphalt on both sides of the traffic going by. We're getting gravel thrown at cars and I think, that as long it is taking, that it would have been appropriate to have asphalted a little path at least so that both sides of the traffic would flow without throwing gravel at one another. Reply: Thank you for contacting us with your concerns regarding the gravel road used as a bypass for Randolph Avenue construction. Our contractors follow the guidelines established in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as well as general user and worker safety, to determine the minimum lane widths while allowing for adjacent construction to occur. Unfortunately, the existing paved section did not allow for two lanes to remain on asphalt pavement during reconstruction of the adjacent lanes. The contractors looked at all the possible methods to complete this project, including having traffic travel on dirt rather than millings, having traffic on temporarily paved shoulders rather than millings, allowing only one lane of traffic with flagmen, or constructing a temporary bypass along another route and reconstructing the entire roadway all at one time. Ultimately, the contractors decided on widening the north side of the roadway with compacted asphalt millings because it was the most cost-effective option. Drivers were encouraged to reduce speeds and not follow cars closely to help minimize gravel being thrown at cars. If you have any further questions regarding our roadways on Kirtland AFB, please contact my point of contact, Brent Wilson, at 846-7911. Thank you for your continued patience during construction.