A groundbreaking took place for the first phase of the Highway 79 four-laning project five years ago this month on Panama City Beach.

The final phase of that work got underway, which will lead to the Washington County line near Ebro last week.

During times of tropical weather evacuations in Bay County, the north-south routes of Highways 79, 77, and 231 have become parking-lots while tens-of-thousands of motorists try to leave at the same time during mandatory evacuations.

Florida Department of Transportation officials' goal is to get the main routes four-laned to Interstate-10.