Photos: Richard Maack, Courtesy of Kitchell

This 11-story tower is the main element of the hospital’s $588-million expansion and will increase the bed count to 626. Schuff Steel fabricated and erected 5,619 tons of steel and installed more than 765,000 sq ft of steel decking.

Steel erection was planned in two major portions: the tower and the adjacent low rise. A two-crane, two-crew erection scenario was utilized, erecting these two lower portions simultaneously, until erection of the low rise was complete. The balance of the structure was erected with a single crane and crew. This method of erection also allowed earlier floor and roof access to other trades over a significant area.

The project management team worked closely with each fabrication shop to ensure fabrication was sequenced with the erection schedule, as ironworkers hung approximately 60-80 pieces of steel daily. The construction team delivered the massive tower six weeks ahead of schedule.