Construction continues to progress at Bluffton Hospital. Last week the construction contractors placed some metal roofing caps, excavate the waterline along Harmon Street and tie in waterlines just outside the boiler room.

They also placed most of the steel posts that protect traffic from backing into the generator area.

Windows were placed along the west side of the new building. The canopy metal framework continues. The metal screen wall on the roof was completed.

In the surgery area, contractors started the structural steel framing that will support the surgical equipment booms. They also set a door frame into the old surgery area and did some night work that included plumbing, HVAC and ductwork through the old surgery area connecting to newly constructed space.

They hung more drywall and filled in some of the plumbing trenches with concrete.

In the Emergency Department area drywall finishing and painting continued. Twelve rooms on the second floor are painted. Drywall hanging continues in the first floor Emergency Department area with taping and mudding also underway.

Electrical wire continues to be pulled to all areas and miscellaneous plumbing connections are ongoing.

This week contractors hope to finish the structural steel supports in both the new surgery area and new Emergency Department. The metal studding on the underside of the canopy should be complete as well.

The shaping and grading of the driveways should get underway again as weather permits. More windows should go in around the emergency department front of the building and drywall finishing should start.