On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Kevin Thibault broke ground on a flyover at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB).
“The project will elevate the travel lanes of U.S. 98 above the Tyndall Drive main entrance to the base, separating through-traffic on U.S. 98 from traffic to the entrance to Tyndall,” the governor’s office noted. “FDOT’s average annual daily traffic counts show approximately 36,000 drivers travel U.S. 98 through Tyndall AFB every day. This flyover will improve access to the base, enhance safety and improve response time for personnel living off base. This $19.9 million project is set to be completed in 2021.”
“I was excited to join FDOT today to break ground on this important project for Northwest Florida and Tyndall Air Force Base,” said DeSantis. “The raising of these travel lanes on U.S. 98 will significantly reduce traffic congestion for this busy intersection, improving safety and accessibility for residents, visitors and commuters to and from Tyndall. This project is a critical component of our long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts, and I look forward to seeing the improvements it will bring upon completion.”
“I applaud Governor DeSantis for continuing to make critical transportation investments in Florida’s Panhandle,” said Thibault. “Once complete, this project will provide enhanced access to the Tyndall Air Force Base as well as strengthen safety at this critical intersection. The Department is proud to help meet the transportation needs of our military partners at the base as well as the surrounding communities.”
“This project is a big win for Tyndall Air Force Base and the entire Northwest Florida community,” said state Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City. “Not only will this new flyover bridge improve safety by reducing traffic congestion, but it will also greatly improve the commute time for our residents. I thank FDOT for taking this on and I appreciate the Governor’s continued support to improving our state’s infrastructure.”
FDOT is working on the Federal Highway Administration and Tyndall AFB’s 325th Fighter Wing on the project. Tyndall was damaged by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.
“Our state’s commitment to the military and our bases is one of the many reasons Florida wins,” said state Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City. “The investment today in our state’s infrastructure will help to facilitate the rebuild and growth of Tyndall Air Force Base to become the base of the future.”
“Because of the cooperation between military and civilian authorities we are able to take an important step toward the rebuild of Tyndall AFB as we work to improve the base after Hurricane Michael,” said Col. Brian Laidlaw, the commander of 325th Fighter Wing, who took part in the groundbreaking. “That kind of teamwork is vital to our success. Because of our partners in the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, we are able to improve base access and security, while improving transit times for the local community. This is just one more example of the Air Force, the State of Florida and the federal government working together for the good of the community.”
