Security realignment to occur over winter break

Contact: Kevin Roark, camerahead@lanl.gov, (505) 665-0582 (01-129)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Dec. 20, 2001 -- Employees returning to work at the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory on Jan. 2, following the annual winter break, will encounter new security controls on vehicular traffic in and around Technical Area 3.

“This security realignment is not a response to any new or specific security threat,” said Gene Tucker, Deputy Director of Security (S) Division. “It also does not represent an increase in the Laboratory’s security posture, currently at security condition three (SeCon3). We’re taking this opportunity to make some changes now because the Laboratory is closing Dec. 25 for the winter break and the impact on employees will be less.”

The purpose of this security realignment is to provide the Protection Technology Los Alamos (PTLA) guard force a means to better scrutinize incoming vehicular traffic, particularly larger trucks and delivery vans.

Beginning Jan. 2 four new “screening posts” will become fully operational. The first is a truck turnoff and screening post on East Jemez Road, also known as the Truck Route, just east of the concrete plant. The others include a post at Pajarito Road, west of the Otowi Building, a post on Bikini Atoll Road just off of West Jemez Road, west of Johnson Controls Northern New Mexico shops, and a post on Pajarito Road near the entrance to the main shops at SM-39.

The establishment of these screening posts will allow the Lab to reopen some guard stations now currently closed, and eliminate other posts put in place after Sept. 11. The most visible screening post that will be eliminated checks vehicles at the entrance of the TA-3 main parking lot, in front of the Administration Building.

Other recently established screening posts at TA-55, TA-54 and TA-18 will remain operational.

“We’re asking employees to please drive safely and exercise extra patience during the period of time it takes to adjust to this realignment,” said Tucker. “Normal traffic flow on the Truck Route will not be halted, but progress may be slower than usual. Everyone should allow extra travel time in coming to work and to have their badge ready if they plan to pass through one of the screening posts. Everyone entering the Laboratory must comply with all directions from PTLA personnel and to treat them with the utmost respect, mindful that they have an important and very difficult job to do.”

Commercial vehicles making official Lab business deliveries to TA-3 will now be required to use the Truck Route and pass through the screening post, exiting the roadway to do so. These types of vehicles entering from the town site or from White Rock via Pajarito Road will be redirected by signage to the Truck Route. No vehicles making unofficial deliveries will be allowed through the screening posts. Passenger and other vehicles using the Truck Route will proceed as normal. All drivers using the Truck Route should exercise additional caution due to traffic exiting and entering the roadway.

Employees who do enter the Laboratory through one of the new screening posts will be required to show a standard Laboratory issue DOE badge.

Employees are encouraged to access the S Division website for more information on the realignment.

Employees may also check the Laboratory’s UPDATE HOTLINE prior to returning to work on Jan. 2 for any additional changes. The UPDATE number is (877) 723-4101 toll free or 667-6622 locally.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy.