Workers and contractors hurry to complete Armidale Hospital’s final concrete floor yesterday.
Thursday, 23 March 2017
WORKERS at Armidale Hospital have completed the last broad stroke of the $60 million redevelopment – pouring nearly 500 cubic metres of concrete to finish the top floor of the new health facility yesterday.
Concrete trucks pulled up every few minutes; almost a hundred trucks were required to bring more than a 1,000 tonnes of concrete to the work site.
Luckily, the rain held off – and workers got the job done by lunchtime. The concrete has now set and will cure over the next week.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall celebrated the completion of the pour and said it was a major milestone for the large health project.
“With this pour complete, workers will now crown the building with a steel roof and construct cladding on the sides of the building,” Mr Marshall said.
“With winter imminent, this will provide much needed weatherproofing to minimise delays due to rain. Currently, workers have to stop for an hour after wet weather to clear water for safety reasons. With that issue resolved, we can look forward to construction picking up pace.
“With a roof and walls, the final silhouette of the building will become clear – bringing this iconic building one step closer to reality.”
This newly completed floor will house the Central Sterilised Service Department, a facility that will be used to ensure the best standards of hygiene are maintained. While workers are building the roof atop the building, contractors will continue to establish services in the lower floors.
“I commend all the workers and contractors for keeping on schedule, despite the wet weather we’ve had recently. We’re progressing on track for a grand opening early next year,” Mr Marshall said.
“This project will transform health care in Armidale and our region.”