DETROIT - The largest expansion project in the history of the St. John Hospital and Medical Center is moving quickly to the end of its first phase. The fast-paced work is part of $161 million in construction work that will transform the east-side facility's delivery of care - and its footprint.

This month the first three floors of the new 250,000 square-foot Van Elslander Pavilion were open, 15 months after construction began, and the job is about three months ahead of schedule.

"All this was done in 15 months, and the quality of work didn't suffer, said Stephen Tertel, senior project manager for St. John Health. "The trades have bought into the commitment to quality and getting the work done. It was a very aggressive schedule, but I never heard 'I can't get it done.' It's always been, 'we'll find a way.' "

When the hospital's transformation is complete in about a year, the Emergency Department will go from 30,000 square feet to more than 54,000, and will accommodate more than 85,000 patients per year. The expanded department will include 72 private treatment rooms.

In addition, 144 new private rooms will be added, some existing rooms will be made modified, giving the facility more than 200 private rooms.

The new construction will create a new heart and circulatory center, and upgrade and consolidate all cardiovascular and vascular services in one area. A Diagnostic Imaging Center will bring all imaging services together in one location adjacent to the new lobby. And, a new main entrance on the north side has been created.

There are about 150 Hardhats currently working on site, and down from a peak of about 500 las
t year. The project is being led by the construction management team of Skanska/L.S. Brinker. New construction/renovation affects about 307,752 square feet of space. "The tradespeople and contractors have done an excellent job," said Dimitris Bitzarakis, St. John Health's corporate director, design and construction services. "I didn't think it was possible to finish so far ahead of schedule, but they showed it is possible."

THE NEW MAIN entrance at St. John Hospital and Medical Center is part of the new 250,000 square-foot Van Elslander Pavilion.

PAINTING A WALL in the new Emergency Center at St. John Hospital and Medical Center is Anthony Elliot of Painters Local 213 and Duross Painting. The area was formerly the radiological department.