With the start of a new year and the return of many U.S. Army-Hawaii units and their families, I'd like to offer some tips and guidance on accommodating the increase of cars and people on the streets.
Physical training safety. With many of our tactical units back from deployment, the morning PT speed limits and road restrictions need to be followed.
All roads where PT formations are allowed are marked with the 10 mph signs with applicable PT hours stated.
Drivers need to be aware that the Soldiers have priority on these roads. Drivers need to obey the lower speed limits for the hours posted.
Individual Soldiers doing PT need to make efforts not to block traffic by staying to the side of the road. When possible, run on the sidewalk or grass.
If both drivers and Soldiers running PT make a little extra effort, traffic will be a little smoother.
A copy of PTAca,!E+running routes can be found on the garrison's Web site at <a href="http://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/sites/policies/policies.asp">www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/sites/policies/policies.asp</a>.
Traffic at the gates during PT hours. With most of our units back and doing PT again, the morning traffic can easily back up at the gates.
Motorists are urged to account for the large volume of traffic and plan accordingly.
One way to reduce the volume of traffic at the gate is to stagger the start time for PT. Major units are asked to offset their start time for PT. Starting 15 minutes earlier or later can greatly relieve the volume of traffic at the gates.
Department of Defense decals on cars. All vehicles that regularly enter the installation must have a DoD decal posted on their windshield.
Motorists with vehicles without the DoD decal who wish to enter the installation will be directed to the Visitor Control Center to receive a one-day pass.
Anyone who has regular business on any Army installation is eligible for the DoD sticker.
There are vehicle registration offices on Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks. Call 655-8940 for more information.
Upcoming gate construction. The Corps of Engineers will begin construction on a tactical road from Schofield Barracks to Helemano Military Reservation in February.
The new road will enter Schofield via McNair Gate, which will operate under modified hours for part of the construction period.
McNair Gate's inbound lane will be closed Feb. 2-6, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
During peak traffic hours, traffic flow will change from inbound to outbound to accommodate commuters.
Motorists are urged to use alternate gates during the construction period.
Traffic advisories and community updates are regulary posted at the Garrison Web site and within the post newspaper's News Briefs column.
(Editor's Note: "Straight Talk" is a monthly column that appears in the Hawaii Army Weekly, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii's post newspaper. Past columns can be found online at <a href="http://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/haw.asp">www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/haw.asp</a>.)
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