The Automated Installation Entry system hasn't been the only change visitors have noticed when entering Fort Knox. There has been digging and mounds of dirt on the sides of Chaffee and Brandenburg gates.
The new construction at the gates is being done because the installation has to be in compliance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers access control points policy which means there have to be separate areas to conduct inspections of commercial vehicles and random inspections of privately owned vehicles.
"We take a lane to conduct those inspections for vehicles, (and) what we're building will get people (to the new lane for vehicle inspection)," explained Lt. Col. Edgar Otalora, the director of Fort Knox's Directorate of Emergency Services. "The four lanes of traffic will be continuous and we won't have to stop a lane in order to conduct inspections. It also provides us additional security from commercial vehicles when were are inspecting them. If there were to be a threat from a commercial vehicle that puts them away from everything."
Mark Richerson, chief of DPW's Engineering & Services Division, said the current gates don't have an extra lane to inspect commercial or privately owned vehicles and the new canopy will allow gate guards the extra space for this to be done.
Kent Vanmeter, DPW's project manager, said construction at Brandenburg Gate began May 18 and Chaffee Gate's construction began May 26. The post's third primary access control point--Wilson Gate--will also have an inspection lane, but that project is still under design.
"The new canopy will be 80 feet long and have an 18 foot clearance so tractor trailers can be under the canopy," said Vanmeter. "The goal is to (make sure) all three gates have a vehicle inspection canopy."
Otalora pointed out that the ACPs were built in early 2000s, and force protection measures hadn't been implemented. Prior to that all military posts were open and there weren't any checks. Now identification cards are checked or people are given passes and the post has gone to AIE and people are vetted.
He added that all three gates will eventually have the same capabilities because all three have the same types of traffic.
Richerson said Wilson Gate will also have a lane for individuals to turn around before entering the installation. For example, prior to entering post an individual might realize he or she doesn't have his or her ID card or proper ID to enter the installation. When the lane is built that person can turn around before entering the gate's checkpoint.
Another change has been moving the Bradley Fighting Vehicle static display at the Chaffee Gate for the inspection lane. Although the BFV has been moved to the Paton Museum while the lanes are being added, Otalora said when the construction is complete they will see if there is another appropriate place near the Chaffee Gate for the display that won't interfere with the line of sight or force protection measures.
"As Fort Knox moves forward this will allow us to continue getting better at providing access with folks (who) want to come onto the installation," he said. "When this project is completed instead of having to close down a lane, like we have to do now to conduct vehicle searches, we will have a specified area and it will help us increase the flow of traffic."
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