Staffing Shortages Force Changes to Fort Meade Gates

Operating hours for three gates at Fort Meade will change on March 25 due to staffing shortages, base officials said. 

The installation said the tweaks were not due to the current budget cuts facing federal agencies, but said further changes could be made. 

Here is the new gate schedule: 

• Mapes Road and Route 32: Open weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Mapes and Route 175: Open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and will remain closed on weekends and holidays.
• Rockenbach Road and Route 175: Open weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and closed on holidays.

There will be no changes to the Llewellyn Gate or the Reece Road gate. 

Fort Meade said traffic wait times should not change significantly due to the adjustments.  

Officials said the current sequestration could cause hours to be cut back further, and that some gates may even close.