By John H. Campbell, USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office
Officials with the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Stuttgart have announced plans to replace a vehicle barrier at an access control point (ACP) on Patch Barracks.
The work will impact use of the alternate gate at Patch Barracks, commonly known as the “K&K Gate.” That access point will be closed starting the week of June 10 as work begins on a replacement barrier at that location.
“We have scheduled this work to coincide with summer vacation at the schools on Patch,” said USAG Stuttgart Commander Col. Kirk Alexander. “We recognize this will cause some traffic issues, but it’s important to get this work done while school is out and improve our defenses against those who might want to do harm.”
The project will result in significant adjustments to traffic flow at the main ACP located north of the K&K Gate.
“We will need to use the outbound traffic lane for inspection of large commercial vehicles,” said Ed Otalora, Deputy Director of Emergency Services for USAG Stuttgart. “During those inspections, we will need to stop all outbound traffic at the gate until the inspection is completed.”
To mitigate impacts on traffic flow during morning and afternoon rush hours, large commercial vehicles will only be allowed to enter the main gate between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Otalora also says no visitors passes will be issued at the Patch ACP on workdays (MON-FRI) between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. to mitigate increased use of the main gate.
“Community members who wish to sign on a visitor during those times will need to get a visitors pass at another installation, either Panzer, Kelley, or Robinson Barracks,” said Otalora.
Work is expected to continue throughout the summer. The K&K Gate is expected to be open by the time school resumes on August 19.