Fort Carson to Temporarily Close Gate 19 after $11 Million Investment in Road

Fort Carson announced Tuesday Gate 19 will temporarily close Aug. 1 about two years after an $11 million Colorado Department of Transportation project to pave the road to the gate.

The base made the decision in part because the overall number of soldiers on base is down with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team deployed to the Southern border while the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade is scheduled to deploy to the Middle East, said Dee McNutt, a spokeswoman for Fort Carson. The aviation brigade members are some of the main users of the gate because it provides closer access to the Butts Army Airfield.

"We will continuously reevaluate. This was a decision today based on current conditions and manpower," McNutt said. She expects the investment in the road will be valuable into the future.

Base staff made the changes after examining traffic and resource data, and speaking with experts, a news release said.

Fort Carson's Museum Slated for Potential Closure

The 4th Infantry Division Museum outside Fort Carson's gate 1 is slated for closure as the Army Museum Enterprise shutters museums nationally.

El Paso County paved Charter Oak Ranch Road in 2022 and fully finished the road that leads to Gate 19 in 2023. It included drainage infrastructure, settling ponds, and a retaining wall. The road had crumbling pavement, poor drainage, a steep grade and narrow lanes.

Opening Gate 19 was meant to ease congestion at Fort Carson's Gate 20, The Gazette previously reported.

The investment in Charter Oak Ranch Road is part of a package of four projects known as the Military Access Mobility and Safety Improvements. The final project focused on widening South Academy Boulevard is still going on.

The package of projects was funded through a federal grant, Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, El Paso County and CDOT.

Some Pikes Peak regional road projects wrap up; construction along I-25 scheduled through 2024

Road crews will be clearing off Colorado 94 and the road to Fort Carson Gate 19 as construction wraps up, while more concrete barriers and orange cones are in store for Interstate 25 south of Academy Boulevard through 2024.

In addition to closing Gate 19, the base is changing operations at Gates 5 and 6.

Gate 5 near Titus Boulevard and Colorado 115 will be open 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. seven days a week.

Gate 6 on Wilderness Road east of Colorado 115 will be open 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gate 19 near Charter Oak Ranch Road will be closed until further notice.

During closure times, community members can use Gates 1, 3, 4 and 20.

"We understand this change may cause inconvenience throughout the installation. We appreciate the community's patience and understanding as we manage all available resources," said Col. Erik Oksenvaag, Fort Carson garrison commander.

This story has been updated to state the closure of Gate 19 is temporary and El Paso County paved Charter Oak Ranch Road.

Fort Carson to swap tanks for more Strykers with planned departure of 3rd Armored Brigade

In two or three years, Fort Carson is expected to swap its 3rd Armored Brigade for a stryker brigade at Fort Hood. The Texas-based fort will welcome 3rd Armored Brigade to its roster of heavy brigades. The move will change Fort Carson's identity, making it the largest home of strykers in the country.

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