Kadena Special Olympics traffic patterns

  • Published
  • By 18th Wing officials
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  With the thousands of people expected to attend this Saturday's Special Olympics at Kadena Air Base, base officials need to ensure the large number of Okinawan athletes, their families and volunteers are able to enter and exit the base smoothly.

As such, there will be limited traffic flow in and around the Risner Fitness Center. Please see below for more details.

Additional changes include the closure of the post office (personnel will still be able to check their mailbox.), the closure of the Risner Fitness Center from midnight to 6 p.m. and the opening of Gate 5 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for KSO participants.

Although this may mean non-participants will need to find alternative routes, base officials ask for understanding as this is the largest community outreach event of the year and promises to be an exciting day for all participants.


The following intersections/streets will be closed to traffic:

-- Vincent Ave next to Kadena Middle School

-- Intersection of Vincent Ave and Beeson Street (Coming from Main Street/BX you may turn right only on Vincent Ave next to Beeson Street then right only onto Schreiber to enter the Dorm parking lot or Post office. You can only turn right on Schreiber to exit out to Douglas.

-- Adams Ave next to Risner Fitness center will be one-way

-- Intersection of Douglas and Schreiber - SOFA personnel will not be permitted to turn left or right at this intersection. Proceeding straight across Douglas Ave is permitted. This intersection is blocked by a Water Barrier TCP checkpoint

Traffic Checkpoints at the following locations:

-- From Douglas and Schreiber to Douglas and Mckennon, inside lane will be reserved for KSO Traffic only (Red Water Barriers will be used to separate traffic turning left into KSO parking areas)

-- Intersection of Douglas and Mckennon Ave, bus, DV-2 and co-commander entry only

-- Intersection of Adams and Mckennon Ave, bus drop-off traffic only

-- Entrance to Lorling and Adams Ave, bus traffic only

Chili's restaurant:

-- Barriers will be set up down Schreiber blocking entrance to Bldg 155, Chilli's and the bowling alley parking lots. Entrance to Chilli's will be from Kuter/BX area, proceed down Vincent Ave towards Kadena High School, turn right at Vincent and Beeson Ave heading towards Schreiber Ave, turn right on Schreiber and then left at bldg 115. To exit, make a left on Schreiber and exit out Douglas Blvd.

Jennings Court:

-- A barrier will be set-up blocking traffic at Albany and Lorling Ave. Traffic will be limited for Jennings housing residents in cul-de-sacs 9309, 9302, 9301, 9300 and 9321. 9322, 9323, 9324 off of Lorling Ave from 0600-1800 due to one-way KSO bus traffic. Enter through the checkpoint at McKennon/Adams, show ID and then proceed down to Lorling Ave.

Olympic Mall:

-- Coming from Douglas Blvd head towards Gate 1 turn left at Marek Park then turn right on Beerbower Rd. Coming from Douglas Blvd from Gate 1 turn right at the Intersection of Douglas and Schlegal, then turn left on Adams Avenue heading north. Personnel must depart the Olympic Mall area using the above routes.

Dining Hall/Post Office/Dorms 176, 177 , 178:

-- Coming from Kuter and Vincent Ave, Proceed down Vincent Ave towards Kadena High School, turn right at Beeson St at barrier then left or right on Schrieber Ave To exit, turn right on Schriber and out Douglas blvd.

Housing Residents across from Bob Hope/Amelia Earhart:

-- Must enter/exit through checkpoint at Beeson and Rickenbacker (Note: Ensure you have your ID at all times) You will be able to access this housing area the same way