Lyman Gate to receive upgrades, VCC temporarily moves to Kawamura Gate
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii -- Due to upcoming construction on Lyman Gate, the Schofield Barracks Visitor Control Center, or VCC, will be relocated to Kawamura Gate, here, as of 5 a.m., June 30.
The move allows for planned upgrades to Lyman Gate, which include the following:
•Adding longer queuing lanes to allow for faster permit processing and lessening of the backlog of traffic on Kunia Road;
•Constructing a new raised concrete island and wooden catwalk under the existing sprung structure large tent to allow personnel to view the content of large trucks and containers that enter the VCC; and
•Installing lighting, phones and other communication infrastructures to the two counter stations located on the concrete island to create a more permanent and efficient facility that follows the Army's antiterrorism measures.
"These upgrades to the gate will move us toward modernization and increase security," said Col. Jay Hammer, executive officer, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii.
The project begins July 5 and is anticipated to last about six-eight weeks. During this time, visitors and contractors who require an installation pass to Schofield Barracks will use the temporary VCC located at Kawamura Gate. Once processed through the VCC, vehicles will drive through Wheeler Army Airfield via Santos Dumont Road and Wright Avenue (see map).
To accommodate the temporary VCC, Wright Avenue will be partially closed.
The Lemon Lot will remain open, with limited capacity.
Drivers are advised to anticipate a change in traffic patterns on the installation and to allow for extra time in their commute.
The Directorate of Emergency Services, USAG-HI, asks for patience during construction and explains that, after considering all other options, temporarily relocating the VCC was the best decision to make for the community.
"The original plan was to jump between Lyman and Foote gates during the day and night, like we had done last year, but that proved to be a challenge," said Gordon Wiborg Jr., deputy chief of police, DES, USAG-HI. "This way, we move the VCC once to an alternate location and move it back once, so there is less confusion.
"This is the best course of action, and Kawamura is really the only logical place (to temporarily relocate the VCC)," Wiborg said.
Lyman Gate will be closed to all traffic July 5-8 to accommodate the first phase of construction. Signs will be posted to alert drivers of the changes; also, informational sheets with transition details, including temporary modifications in gate hours, are being distributed by gate guards.
The temporary VCC will remain at Kawamura Gate until construction is completed, which is anticipated to be in mid-August.
DES will announce when the VCC will reopen at Lyman Gate.
Gate hours
During construction, gate hours will be temporarily modified to accommodate the relocation of the Visitor Control Center:
•Kawamura Gate, open 24 hours, as of June 30
•Foote Gate, open 24 hours, as of 5 a.m., July 5
•Kunia Gate, hours change to 5 a.m.-9:30 p.m., as of July 5
•Lyman Gate, hours change to 5 a.m.-9:30 p.m., as of July 9
Drivers are advised to check the garrison website for current gate hours before heading out. For more details, contact USAG-HI's DES Installation Access Office, 808-656-0247.
For more details about Lyman Gate construction, modified gate hours and the temporary relocation of the Visitor Control Center, visit www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/des/default.htm.
Social Sharing