Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"May 24, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
May
24, 2002
Parking, security issues affect grad week activities
By Jim Fox
Staff Writer
Due to increased security at the U.S. Military Academy, parking restrictions and select road closures will be in effect during graduation week.
One item that could help visitors cope is the "Parent’s Guide for Graduation Week."
Twenty-five hundred copies of the booklet were sent to firstie parents, according to Roy Spells, the Directorate of Operations and Plans operations specialist.
For those who forgot their guides, or need more copies, it is posted on the official USMA Web site at www.usma.edu/DOPS/graduationweek2002.htm. Just click on the green book icon.
Parking restrictions during graduation week will cause some headaches for post employees. From 10 p.m. Sunday until 4 p.m. June 1, six Central Area parking lots will be closed: Clinton Lot, Doubleday Lot, the Tennis Court Lots, Cullum Road parking spaces, Kosciuszko parking spaces and Lincoln Hall Lot.
According to 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment Operations Officer Maj. Brian Bisacre there will be 20 handicapped parking spaces for Central Area employees on Cullum Road across from Kosciuszko Monument.
"We encourage Central Area employees to use K-Lot (the old PX) and Buffalo Soldier Field Lots and then use the post shuttle system," Bisacre said.
The post shuttle system will run its normal route throughout grad week, Bisacre said.
The post shuttle runs both north- and south-bound beginning at 6:05 a.m. through 5:10 p.m., when the last bus makes its final run.
"Review Express Shuttles" will run from BSF and K-Lot to Central Area specifically behind the Superintendent’s review box near the Plain.
Additionally, special graduation week shuttles will run Monday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The shuttle buses will continue to run from BSF to the Central Post Area and return. Tuesday shuttle buses will run between BSF and the Central Post Area from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. They will run Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. from BSF and May 31 from 8 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. June 1 to all major West Point areas. This service will augment the daily shuttle.
There will also be special direct shuttle service from BSF to the superintendent’s reception, noon to 6 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; from BSF to the graduation parade beginning 8:30 a.m., May 31 and from BSF to the graduation banquet beginning 5:30 p.m., May 31.
Graduation Day shuttle service will run from all parking areas to Michie Stadium, June 1, 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
There will also be a bar pinning ceremony shuttle bus service June 1, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. The pick up point is behind the review stands on the Plain and buses will run continually from there to parking lots BSF, H-Lot, K-Lot and Target Field.
Along with weeklong parking restrictions, Cullum Road will close during the following days and times for reviews and activities on the Plain: Monday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.; Tuesday 11:10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.; Thursday 10:55 a.m. until 11:35 a.m.; May 31 10:25 a.m. until 11:10 a.m.
Bisacre stressed that community members should plan accordingly during these times.
"Because of construction and the Cullum Road closures there will be no north-south access on post during these times," Bisacre said.
"It will be worth going off post on to Route 9W and around rather than fighting your way through the area around the Plain," he added.
Officials also encouraged all employees with DoD stickers on their vehicles to use Washington Gate during grad week.
"Buffalo Soldier Field will be the main parking area for the whole week," Bisacre said. "On crunch days we will open up Stony Lonesome parking areas also. We don’t want to turn anyone around if they come in the wrong gate."
Officials said all visitors should have proper photo identification in their possession at all times while at West Point. Bisacre also wanted to inform all visitors there would be no driving around or dropping off at Michie Stadium on Graduation Day.
Most of A Lot will be reserved for shuttle bus turnaround, he added. General public parking will be in effect, similar to the way it works on a football Saturday.
Handicapped parking on Graduation Day will be in H-Lot (Commissary lot). The drop-off point at Michie Stadium will be Gate 6. After graduation, handicapped busses will pick up at Gate 6 and return to H-Lot.