Eglin expansion will clog roads

Added missions for Eglin Air Force Base will significantly congest Florida 85 and could disrupt travel along U.S. 98, a report by the National Research Council's Transportation Research Board warns. The report looked at Eglin and five other large bases that are expanding as a result of the base realignment plan. Eglin was chosen as the new home of the Army 7th Special Forces Group and the Joint Strike Fighter training center. The 7th SF will bring more than 6,000 people and the JSF center about 4,900. The report urges Congress to consider a special appropriation of federal stimulus money to pay for near-term improvements. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 02/07/11)