CPKC Railroad Repairs Will Close Barksdale Air Force Base West Gate

Those who work or live on Barksdale Air Force Base are going to need to rethink their normal routine this week, if they normally use Barksdale's west gate to enter the base.

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An alert from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has issued notice to all drivers that beginning this Wednesday, October 7, Westgate Drive at the CPKC railroad crossing located at the West Gate entrance to Barksdale Air Force Base will be closed.

Google Maps/DOTD

As illustrated above, this crossing is at the intersection of LA 3032/Westgate Drive and US 71 (Barksdale Blvd).

RR Crossing at Barksdale Westgate Closed 7am October 7 To 5pm October 8

DOTD advises that the road closure is scheduled to take place from approximately 7:00 am October 7th to 5:00 pm October 8th, and is necessary to allow the railroad company to perform repairs to the tracks.

Obviously, because this crossing sits immediately outside Barksdale's Main Gate entrance, this gate will be forced to close and all vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route. Appropriate detour signage will be in place. Motorists wishing to access BAFB will need to do so via the gate entrance on Northgate Road.

READ MORE: Why Police Can Do Nothing When Trains Block Louisiana Roads

Work on this crossing can only be done if weather permits, so any inclement weather could delay, extend, or alter in other ways the scheduled work days/hours.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment. Remember to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).

Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.