Meeres gate opens for testing period

Fort Belvoir continues to try and provide motorists new ways easing traffic congestion when exiting post.

Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt has directed the opening of the gate on Meeres Road next to Fort Belvoir Elementary School for a test period of Tuesday to March 31.

"We continuously review our transportation policies to help alleviate on-post congestion," Blixt said. "Part of that strategy includes reviewing gates for afternoon egress as a means to help facilitate or mitigate traffic flow.

"Our [Directorate of Emergency Services] is going to open the gate for a specified amount of time to obtain the necessary data to assist with making a decision to either change the policy or stay with the current approach," Blixt said.

According to DES officials, the gate will be open Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. for outbound traffic only. The gate will not be open on holidays or weekends.
Frank Hentschel, deputy director of emergency services, said DES patrol officers will monitor the gate during the test period.

"We hope opening up the gate will help facilitate bus traffic from the school and provide easier access to off post for parents picking up their children from school and from day care," Hentschel said. "It will also provide residents of Woodlawn Village and shoppers at the commissary and post exchange an easier exit off post."
Blixt hopes the opening of the gate will positively affect the flow of traffic and assist motorists exiting post.

"I told the residents of Woodlawn we would look at reopening Meeres Gate to ease their transportation dilemma, assist the county with shorter bus routes, and help reduce a portion of the afternoon traffic," Blixt said. "I've been interested in opening this particular gate since I arrived. It's important to provide the residents of Woodlawn an easier route from main post to their homes."