Updated at 7:52 a.m., Thursday, November 29, 2007
Schofield traffic jam not the result of security checks
Advertiser Staff
Contrary to what Army officials are calling "public speculation," the increased traffic congestion around Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield this past week was not the result of entry gates being closed or increased security inspections, officials said.Rainy weather, traffic accidents and an increase in the number of cars on the sprawling Army bases in Central O'ahu were key factors in the congestion, the Army said.
"Over the past year, there have been fewer drivers on post due to the deployment of many of the 25th Infantry Division soldiers," Army officials said in a prepared statement.
"Now that these soldiers have returned, the number of drivers is getting back to normal," according to the statement.
Base officials have worked over the past several months to ease traffic flow by setting up electronic displays that list gate operating hours; positioning traffic-control personnel at several gates to help with vehicle flow; and holding discussions with police and the state Department of Transportation, the statement said.
The congestion should ease as drivers get reacquainted with gate hours and traffic patterns, the Army officials said.
