The Navy formally signed an order Thursday allowing the project to begin, and agreed to ask the Pentagon to consider paying for some road and Metro improvements in the area.

An official groundbreaking for the project is expected next month.

The expanded medical center will be a combination of the existing facility and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The Army base will be relocated from its current site in Washington as part of the military's base closure process.

Montgomery County (web|news) residents and elected officials have expressed concern that the project will further worsen traffic on already congested roads near the hospital.