Belvoir undergoing upgrades in force protection at gates

At the same time Tulley and Pence gates see improvements in force protection, other gates around Belvoir are waiting in the wings.

Travis Edwards, the installation's outreach chief for Base Realignment and Closure, said it's all part of a plan to upgrade infrastructure in response to the influx of new personnel being realigned to Fort Belvoir.

As part of a three-phase project, Edwards said plans have a booth being added to the gates' access control points, giving Tulley four booths and Pence three. Both gates will also be outfitted with an automated installation entry capability, which is similar to the EZ Pass system, in addition to upgrading existing booths, one at a time.

According to Edwards, initial upgrades began late April at Tulley and Pence, with Kingman gate scheduled for AIE upgrades in August. Telegraph would follow in September, with improvements at Walker Gate expected March 2010.

Overall, Edwards said, all gates would have AIE capability and that it would officially be implemented for use by the DoD in two years.

"The installation is working hard to reduce waiting time at the gates and reduce construction-related impacts for residents and post employees," Edwards said. "Officials are also working with our traffic management coordinator to create plans and policies to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicle traffic at the gates."

Edwards added that Tulley will receive an additional upgrade as Pohick Road is expanded to four lanes from Route 1 to Gunston Road starting in September. Belvoir Road is scheduled to be widened in October, he said.

However, he pointed out, for those entering and exiting post, there is no cause for alarm.

"At no time will capacity be reduced at the gates during peak time," Edwards said. "Drivers should avoid rubbernecking, but, other than that, keep driving through."