According to Cecil Miller, WCA vice president of operations, the 18,000-square-foot expansion project — made possible with a $26.4 million state grant — will provide state-of-the-art maternity services to women, as well as psychiatric care for children and adults dealing with mental illness. The addition will be at the site of the former ambulance garage, which was demolished last year.

Miller said the first piece of steel for the new foundation was installed Monday, with another 12 pieces placed this week.

“It will start moving quickly now,” he said of construction.

Miller said the hope is to have the project wrapped up in spring or summer of 2019. He said project has cordoned off certain areas of the hospital campus, but valet parking remains available and signage has been put up regarding different routes that have been created.

Demolition of the former ambulance garage at WCA took place last year. Construction of the two-story expansion is on schedule, hospital officials said. P-J file photo

While winter weather has been challenging in the area, Miller said it has not hampered the project. He said crews have also done a good job mitigating the possibility of flooding due to increasing temperatures with significant snow on the ground.

Despite winter storms expected over the weekend, Miller said work can still be done unless extremely heavy snow or wind forces construction to stop.

“It’s amazing they can work in pretty bad weather and keep on going,” he said.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May for the new women and maternity care center and inpatient adolescent and adult mental health units.

“This investment helps us meet the needs of our community,” said Betsy T. Wright, UPMC Chautauqua WCA chief executive officer and president in a statement at the time.