Healthcare construction a key part of US infrastructure

Mary Scott Nabers is CEO of research and consulting firm Strategic Partnerships Inc. and the author of “Inside the Infrastructure Revolution – A Roadmap for Rebuilding America.” Opinions are the author’s own.

As the demand for modernized and expanded infrastructure surges, one sector stands out with unprecedented momentum: medical facilities. Healthcare buildings are critical components of the nation’s infrastructure and from what can be seen in planning documents, it appears that almost every region in the U.S. is evaluating some type of healthcare-related upgrade. 

The obvious need for these types of projects as America’s population ages presents a wealth of new opportunities for contracting throughout the country. Some of them include: 

MD Anderson Cancer Center
Austin, Texas

A $2.5 billion project to expand the MD Anderson Cancer Center located in the UT Austin Medical Center will involve the construction of two hospital towers: one operated by MD Anderson which will be dedicated to cancer treatment and the other by the University of Texas offering a broader range of medical services. The new facility will address an increasing need for specialized healthcare services in the region. 

The integration of two towers into one facility will provide a streamlined, centralized location for patients to receive specialized treatment and additional medical services. The pre-RFP construction services are set to begin in 2026.

Pullman Regional Hospital
Pullman, Washington

A large expansion and renovation project in Pullman, Washington, is set to launch in early 2025. With a cost projection of somewhere between $45 million and $50 million, the Pullman Regional Hospital expansion project aims to position the facility to better manage an increase in demand for specialized medical services while maintaining efficient operations and a high standard of care. 

The original hospital was constructed in 2004, and over the past 20 years healthcare methods have evolved, technology has moved forward and the population that the system needs to accommodate has increased significantly.

The design focuses on creating increased capacity within key areas of the hospital, including the emergency department and surgical spaces. It will also renovate critical areas such as the maternity ward. 

The project will incorporate updated systems designed to improve medical workflows, optimize space utilization and increase capacity to support a higher volume of services. It will include many critical infrastructure updates including the enhancement of utilities and communication networks to ensure that the facility is equipped for future operational demands.

University of South Carolina neurological hospital
Columbia, South Carolina

Officials at the University of South Carolina in Columbia will oversee the construction of a new neurological hospital designed to advance operational efficiency and enhance the infrastructure supporting neurological and neurosurgical care.

With a cost estimate of $50 million, the new facility will provide 115 beds, all engineered to function as intensive care units if required. It will have decentralized nursing stations on each floor as well as laboratories and research spaces positioned to ensure alignment between academic and operational objectives. 

The design documents outline a high focus on long-term sustainability and the potential for future growth. A construction launch is planned for 2025.

Joint Laboratory Complex
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

In early 2025, site preparation will begin in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for the construction of a $450 million specialized healthcare facility. The Joint Laboratory Complex, which will be located at the former Harrisburg State Hospital site, will be designed as a 300,000-square-foot laboratory. 

It will support the state’s departments of Health, Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Conservation, and Natural Resources agencies. It will also play a critical role in advancing public health testing, food safety assessments and disease diagnostics — all of which are key components of healthcare services in the state. 

Construction will include controlled environments, biosafety protocols and leading-edge laboratory technology. Another project related to the laboratory will deliver a 90,000-square-foot forensics laboratory for the Pennsylvania State Police, further emphasizing the healthcare and life sciences aspects of the development. 

These two new facilities will become a critical part of the state’s healthcare services. Construction is slated to begin in 2026.