Those traveling in and near Redstone Arsenal should find their commutes easier Monday morning.
Redstone Arsenal officials said Gate 8, closed weekdays since Jan. 27, will reopen to incoming and outgoing traffic at 5:30 a.m. Monday. It will be closed to all traffic at 1 p.m. Changes for Gates 3 and 7 will remain in effect.
Gate schedules were altered after Installation Management Command cut the number of guards at Redstone Arsenal. The cutbacks led to traffic delays at other gates and congestion along heavily traveled I-565.
On Thursday, Sen. Jeff Sessions' office announced IMCOM had agreed to add 20 guard positions back to the arsenal. While not confirming the number of guards that will be added, Redstone officials said in a written release the addition was due to "the unique and exceptional circumstances of Redstone Arsenal...with a workforce composed mainly of civilians who commute to work every day."
Redstone is home to fewer than 1,000 on-base soldiers with the vast majority of the remaining 39,000-plus arsenal workers commuting through its gates daily.
Officials with the Provost Marshal General of the US Army, IMCOM and Redstone Arsenal will conduct additional studies to determine ways to improve traffic flow but drivers should see some relief shortly, according to Garrison Commander Col. Bill Marks.
"This authorization will help reduce the wait times and frustrations at the gates," Marks said. "Our guard force has really stepped up and has continued to perform one of our most vital functions at one of our most challenging times."
While Gate 8 will reopen for morning commutes, the altered schedule will remain in place for Gate 3 at Redstone Road and Gate 7 at Martin Road. The gates will continue to open at 5:30 a.m. with inbound lane closing at 1 p.m. The outbound lane for Gate 3 closes at 6 p.m. Gate 7's outbound lane remains open until 9 p.m.
Arsenal officials didn't say when full operations might return but Michael Sheehy, Director of Emergency Services at Redstone, said Monday's changes will help commuters.
"Though hiring additional personnel will take some time, we are implementing measures that will allow us to provide immediate relief to the rush hour congestion," he said.