Construction to begin on new running lane Published May 10, 2013 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Construction is scheduled May 17-20 for a new traffic lane on H Street that will provide safer journeys for runners on base. Don Kinman, CSC civil engineering manager, said the new running lane will start at the corner of Larcher Boulevard and H Street and run west to the corner of H and First Street on the south side adjacent to Blake Fitness Center, 81st Communications Squadron, the military working dog kennel and Stennis Hall. Parallel parking spots in the area will be eliminated to accommodate the running lane. To further protect runners, the speed limit will drop to 15 mph in the area, with new speed limit signs to mark the change. "Running-person symbols will be painted on the pavement in the center of the lane, and a 12-inch white line will mark the outside edge of the Lane," explained Anthony Gravitt, CSC structures shop supervisor. "The center line on the street will be marked with two 6-inch yellow lines to designate a no-passing zone." One-way directional arrows are being painted at the entrance and exit of the parking lot directly west of Blake Fitness Center to aid traffic flow and make it safer for patrons, Gravitt said. "Eliminating the parallel parking on "H" street will ease traffic delays and reduce the chance for accidents," he pointed out. "It will be safer for vehicles entering and exiting parking lots, pedestrians crossing the street and people running with strollers." "Street congestion will be reduced when special running events are being held at the Blake Fitness Center," Gravitt continued. "Parking in nearby lots will easily accommodate the parking spots that are being eliminated."