HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Construction is officially underway on a new $28 million Alabama National Guard training facility in Huntsville, drawing both anticipation and concern from local residents. The new readiness center, located at the southeast corner of Moores Mill Road and Winchester Road, is expected to be completed by late 2026 and will serve as a modern hub for National Guard training in North Alabama.

The new facility will replace many of the state’s aging armories, with capacity for up to 200 soldiers to train simultaneously—primarily on weekends, though some weekday operations and emergency response functions are also planned.

“We’re coming from all over the state, even a few coming from out of state, to come into these readiness centers to train and become proficient in our skills,” said Lt. Drew Hill with the Alabama National Guard. “We’re excited to have Huntsville up there. It’s a large recruiting base. This provides a large opportunity for both the city and the Guard to move forward in this direction.”

But not everyone shares that excitement. Some longtime residents are concerned the new development could add to the area's already strained traffic conditions.

Lauri Rigdon, who lives in the area and whose husband served in the National Guard, said she’s seen traffic become a growing issue over the years—especially with the influx of new residents, businesses, and schools.

“You kind of take your life in your own hands when you’re driving down the roads during rush hour, especially,” Rigdon said. “We also have Valhalla Cemetery, which, with funerals especially on the weekends, can be a problem too. So, they need to widen the road.”

She added that daily congestion makes it difficult for neighbors just to get out of their subdivisions and believes the city has not done enough to accommodate growing traffic demands.

“You would think that would be a priority with all the businesses going in, but I guess not,” she said.

Despite these concerns, local officials have not yet publicly addressed how the city plans to manage the traffic implications of the new military facility. WAFF 48 reached out to city leaders but did not receive a response at the time of reporting.

The readiness center is expected to play a critical role not just in military preparedness but also in community support, including potential disaster response coordination. Once operational, it will serve as a key asset for Alabama's National Guard while contributing to Huntsville’s growing role in state and national defense infrastructure.

As the facility progresses toward completion, residents are hopeful that city leaders will also invest in the roadway improvements needed to ensure that growth doesn't come at the cost of safety or mobility.

Originally reported by Noah Cowell in WAFF 48 News.