Structural steel installation and framing of the two-story addition, which includes the new emergency department and other services, is approaching completion at the Bluffton Hospital.

Contractors will begin installation of second floor decking this week.

A "topping out" celebration is being planned in observance of the last piece of the structural steel being placed.

The ceremony will be Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. The community is invited to attend. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

Inside work continues with framing new walls and hanging HVAC duct work for the new operating room. The masons will be putting stone brick on the exterior of this area. The installation of this brick will require the radiology corridor exit to be temporarily closed.

Concrete work on the second emergency exit ramp from our existing building that will replace the steps near the medical/surgical exit from first floor will be complete by Sept. 15.

The Village of Bluffton, administration and police, have asked that parking be limited on Harmon Road for those businesses and residents on the east side.

They have also asked that contractor parking be limited as well. When emergency vehicles occupy the hospital side of the street it impedes traffic flow with a narrow path.