New hospital topped off in style

At an October 14 "topping off" ceremony the final steel beam was secured on the new 500,000 square foot, $275 million Martha Jefferson Hospital on Pantops Mountain, which is expected to open in 2012. According to MJH president James Haden, the 5-story project, which will include 176 new hospital beds, is 40 percent complete. And Jon Nehls, superintendent for contractor Mortenson Construction, says they are averaging 300 workers on site every day.