Significance of the Project
Beyond simply bringing a much-needed hospital to the community, this $230 million project holds significant importance for multiple reasons. As explained by Bret Loughridge, president of SR Construction, the team was faced with a desired budget and a project completion deadline while the plans were still in progress. By utilizing their unique "SR Built" Process, they were able to provide the owner with certainty in terms of time and budget. Working collaboratively with the design teams and the owner, a project solution was developed that met the desired goals, and the hospital was ultimately completed on time and approximately 4% under budget. Traditional construction methods could have added up to 18 months of additional work, but SR Construction ensured the hospital was built on time and within budget.The seven-story facility is equipped with an array of essential services. It features 150 inpatient beds, an emergency room to handle critical situations promptly, comprehensive cardiology services for heart-related care, a state-of-the-art radiology lab for accurate diagnoses, and a pharmacy to ensure patients have access to their medications.SE Construction emphasizes that the facility is master-planned for growth, with the potential to expand to 4550 beds as the demand for healthcare services continues to increase. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the hospital can meet the evolving needs of the community in the years to come.The opening of the West Henderson Hospital is a significant milestone for Henderson and the surrounding areas. It represents a commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services and improving the well-being of the local population. With its modern facilities and efficient construction process, it sets a new standard for healthcare facilities in the region.Unraveling the Construction Journey at a West Little Rock Intersection
Project Beginnings and Location
The construction project initially started around ten years ago at the corner of Kanis and Shackleford. Now, it has moved west to the even busier intersection of Kanis and Bowman Road. This area is bustling with stores like Sam's Club, Walmart, and Lowe's, adding to the traffic challenges during this time of the year.Little Rock Director of Public Works, Jon Honeywell, has been closely monitoring the progress. He has witnessed firsthand the confusion caused by temporary road markings and lane closures. There were days when the way traffic had to flow through the intersection was quite perplexing.
However, efforts have been made to keep modifying and changing the setup whenever issues arose. The team has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of drivers and the smooth flow of traffic as much as possible.
Drivers' Frustrations and Hopes
Drivers like Sean Thomas from Conway and Savanna Ramirez from Sherwood have been facing long traffic times due to the months-long lane closures. Thomas, who works in west Little Rock, mentioned that especially during lunch breaks, a good half of the time is spent at the intersection.Ramirez, who travels the intersection every weekday to drop off her child, said it causes at least four to five extra minutes of traffic every day. The confusion at the intersection has also led to angry drivers constantly cutting over lanes.
But there is some hope on the horizon. Honeywell stated that the project should be mostly completed by the end of 2024. The only factor that could delay it is the weather. If the temperature is below a certain level, asphalt pouring cannot be done as the cold could weaken it.
Cleanup and Future Plans
After the road construction is completed, the cleanup work will begin. This includes putting in place sidewalks and permanent road markings. Honeywell said that this cleanup work should be done by March 2025.For the parts of the project that directly affect traffic times, it is expected to be finished by December. Drivers like Thomas and Ramirez are eagerly waiting for this to happen, hoping that their frustrations will soon be a thing of the past.
Honeywell also explained that if drivers haven't seen people working at the intersection recently, it is likely because they are working on the less visible parts of the project, such as building driveways and pouring concrete for businesses and property owners along the road.
In the next few weeks, as workers move to the main part of the project to try and finish it before December 31, it could get quite hectic. If they are forced to work during the day due to the temperature problem, the traffic situation might be even more challenging.
Overall, the construction at this west Little Rock intersection is a significant undertaking that is causing disruptions but also holds the promise of a better traffic flow in the future. Everyone is asked to be patient as the team works to get the job done as quickly as possible.