The Lackey entrance to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown will reopen for brief periods to help deal with traffic congestion caused by a construction project near the Route 143 entrance.
The entrance has been closed since November 2012 due to reduced funding and security personnel available to man the gate. After a review of current staff levels and a security and safety review, weapons station officials determined reopening the Lackey gate for brief periods during the morning commute is feasible, according to a news release from the weapons station.
Several of the commands located in the weapons station are assigning personnel to help keep the gate secure as it accepts morning commute traffic. The change goes into effect Sept. 2, according to the release.
The U.S. Navy has funded a construction project for an automated vehicle gate at the Lackey entrance. That project, set to be completed by next summer, will allow 24-hour access to the weapons station for eligible personnel, according to the release.
The Route 143 entrance — located next to Interstate 64’s Lee Hall interchange (exit 247) — was able to handle all of the installation’s traffic prior to the start of the construction project nearby.
