By Michael Roach
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart’s student population will be returning to campus August 17 for the start of a new school year, a calendar highlight which typically increases commuter traffic on Panzer Kaserne, Patch and Robinson Barracks.
This year, the Gate Improvement Project at Patch is still underway, making the K&K and Swabian Gates the primary access control points for those headed to class. At Panzer, a new traffic pattern in the parking lot of Stuttgart Elementary and High Schools will also change the way in which students arrive.
USAG Stuttgart’s Directorate of Emergency Services is being prudent and is allocating personnel to help ensure they and the community can meet this challenge together, said Chief of Police Mark Pursel.
Since the announcement of the Patch Gate Improvement Project’s extension, concerns about various traffic points on the installation have been raised by community members.
“There’s concern, especially near Vermont and Arkansas Strasse, for people who live right there,” Pursel said, referencing the streets most affected by the transition to Swabian Gate. “We’re going to have additional units patrolling the area all morning and as soon as they see an issue they will be there to assist.”
Military Police will be prepared to stop and direct traffic when needed, as well as enforce already existing traffic rules.
“They will be enforcing the no-left-turns into the Swabian Gate traffic pattern,” Pursel said. “That can immediately cause a bottle neck, and we are going to be very cognizant of it.”
At Panzer, the school parking lot’s lanes will now flow in a single direction of traffic rather than operating in both directions, a change made with the intention of increasing pedestrian safety. Drivers who were used to the previous layout should remain aware of the change and pay attention to the new signage and lines painted on the parking lot’s surface.
“With all of this, there are some key things we can use help with,” Pusel said. “One, we can’t be everywhere, so please if you see something on Monday morning, call our MP desk and let us know that there is support needed. We will do our best to allocate our units and hope to make a positive impact. Also, if you can avoid coming on to post between 7:30 and 8 a.m., then please do as that is expected to be the busiest time, on Monday.”
The MP desk’s non-emergency number is +49 (0) 611 1435 96 3081.
