Camp Pendleton Marine Base is undertaking a major overhaul of its main gate in Oceanside.
The $5 million project should eventually help prevent traffic heading onto the Marine Base from backing up on Interstate 5.
Traffic onto the base will be rerouted, starting next Monday. Three inspection points that drivers pass through will be moved several hundred yards further onto the base, and an extra lane will be added during rush hour.
According to spokesperson Sergeant Darhonda Rodela, “The end result of the front gate enhancement is to improve the force protection of the base, and minimize the impact of main gate traffic on our neighboring communities.”
The main gate project has been in the works since 2004, before plans were announced to build a major new military hospital near the entrance to the base.
Dozens of new barracks are currently under construction, and the number of Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton is increasing under the “Grow the Force” Initiative.