Iowa-Hancock intersection closes Oct. 21, Hancock Gate to open Oct. 28
Changes to regular traffic patterns with the upcoming closure of the intersection at Iowa and Hancock avenues and the temporary opening of Hancock Gate during the initial phase of the new Child Development Center construction were among the main topics briefed on and discussed at the monthly village mayors’ meeting Oct. 16, 2024, at the Frontier Conference Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Col. Duane Mosier explained why the traffic rerouting — that will happen as the path of Hancock Avenue is adjusted and the CDC footprint is created — is necessary for the needs of the construction vehicles and the safety of the community.
“So they are going to do all of the road work first to get that out of the way and be done; (they are) planning to do that across winter so that most people won’t be outside riding bikes and being really disturbed by the closure of that intersection, in hopes of having it open in the spring and well before summer surge and the moving patterns of PCS and everything from the summer,” Mosier said.
After that, the intersection will reopen as the CDC construction continues.
“They’ll be able to concentrate on the grounds away from those roads for the rest of that project,” Mosier said. “The front end is a little bit disruptive, but for the long-term good.”
Mosier stressed that having the long-closed Hancock Gate open to accommodate construction and rerouted traffic is a very good thing.
“There will be a number of ways that traffic can get through the installation around that intersection, but the most important piece of what we are doing is that because of that closure, and because we were looking at the routes of the dump trucks … and vehicles that have to travel in that area to do work, we decided to strike a deal with tenant units on the installation to give us, the Garrison organization, borrowed military manpower,” Mosier said, referring to soldiers who will be temporarily helping man Hancock Gate for the next six to eight months.
The re-closure or continued use of Hancock Gate will be re-evaluated at that time, with assessments of traffic and manpower needs and options.
Beginning probably the week of Oct. 28, Hancock Gate will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the initial stage of the CDC construction. The Iowa-Hancock intersection will be fenced off starting Oct. 21 as construction equipment begins to arrive.
Unified School District 207 Director of Military Support Amanda Nonnemaker said the traffic rerouting will also affect some bus routes, but once those new bus routes are established, they will continue for the rest of the school year, barring any other changes. She urged the community to be mindful of speed limits and pedestrians, including children walking to and from school, around those work zones.
“For our students who ride a bike or walk to school, please emphasize the importance of practicing caution and avoiding areas impacted by the construction site. We must also be mindful of changes to stop sign orientation at the intersections of Iowa Avenue/5th Artillery (near the entrance to MacArthur Elementary School) and 5th Artillery Road/Sheridan Drive/Hancock Avenue (near Hancock Pool),” Nonnemaker wrote in an e-mail message following the meeting. “New bus routes began on Oct. 14 for (Leavenworth High School) students and Oct. 15 for USD 207 students. At this time, we intend for these routes to remain as such for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. We appreciate your patience as we continue to discover the full impacts and new traffic patterns.”
Munson Army Health Center
Medical Department Activity Commander and Munson Army Health Center Director Col. Jolanda L.J. Walker briefed the village mayors on the recent uptick in strep cases, urging everyone to wash their hands and practice other good hygiene safety measures. She gave dates and details about upcoming walk-in flu shot clinics (see At a Glance notice on page A1 and clinic flyer on page B12), including the option for beneficiaries to attend the flu shot clinic during Retiree Appreciation Day Oct. 28, if needed, (see RAD flyer on page B1). Walker reminded the mayors that Dec. 2 is the deadline for children registered with Child and Youth Services to receive their flu shots. She told them of the availability of free COVID tests by mail (see page B12), noting that MAHC does not yet have COVID vaccinations available, and that the MAHC Pharmacy has ready-made cold packs available for the upcoming season that beneficiaries can pick up.
Housing
Zac Lay, installation emergency manager, said that one of the big issues with old housing and cold weather is freezing pipes. Residents are asked to check the pipes in their homes often to avoid damage caused by freezing and bursting pipes, and they should leave their heat on when away to help avoid the problem. Outside hoses should be removed to avoid freezing issues as well.
Leigh Brown, assistant community director for Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Communities, said notices of guidebook violations are being distributed, and that those residents who receive them have three attempts to remedy the problem before more serious action is taken.
Brown said the FLFHC offices will be closed Oct. 17 for a day of service so that employees can volunteer with the Leavenworth Mission Food Pantry and Leavenworth County Humane Society.
Brown said dogs running loose in housing areas has been a recurring issue. If anyone feels threatened, by animal or human, Military Police should be contacted. If residents know who the dog belongs to, FLFHC should be notified to connect with the owner and/or make other arrangements to deal with the dog, if needed.
Additional briefings included upcoming USD 207 events; AAFES holiday hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. up to Dec. 24), open positions, and lobby vendor opportunities; many upcoming Army Community Service events and initiatives (see the Post Notes “B” section of the Lamp), and some winter weather information, including that Fort Leavenworth doesn’t close because of snow, but there could be a determination made for maximum teleworking and the closure of snow gates to temporarily eliminate use of slick roads.
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