REDSTONE ARSENAL — Due to federal funding cuts and hiring freezes, Redstone Arsenal will change the operational hours of Gate 3 next week.

“We’re facing significant challenges due to workforce reductions and hiring freeze across the federal government and we are adjusting to the new reality established, while making every effort to ensure secure access to the installation for our workforce,” said Garrison Commander Col. Erin Eike.

Starting Tuesday, the gate on Redstone Road in south Huntsville will close at 1 p.m. daily to accommodate reductions in resources and manning.

However, this adjustment will not affect inbound traffic during peak morning hours of 5:30-9 a.m., the post said.

“Federal workforce reduction efforts reduced our Security Guard Force by 17% which means at our new authorization strength, we can have no more than three guards out sick, injured or on leave or we would have to close lanes or a gate,” Eike said. “We were able to delay this by paying excessive overtime but that has come to an end. Federal government cost reduction decisions made at the highest levels of government removed overtime as an option.

“We have temporary assistance from select active-duty partners but that is still not sufficient to maintain the current level of service.”

For information and updates, visit the garrison’s official social media channels (instagram.com/teamredstonerocket/; twitter.com/TeamREDSTONE; facebook.com/teamredstone) and the My Army Post App.