| As the concrete pours continue, we are starting to see the new shape of the new ED and lab. |
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| Below you can see the outside walls of the new structure. |
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| The left wall above has been created by using concrete and rebar. Multiple pieces of rebar are woven together and wood is used to create a form that allows the workers to pour the concrete covering the rebar; the wooden forms will be eventually removed. |
 Here rebar is woven together to prepare for another concrete wall. |
| Safety of the new structure is an extremely high priority, which means every material used on the job site is checked to ensure the highest standards are met. This includes the concrete. During one my tours I was able to watch the concrete put through a series of tests. A sample is taken from each batch of concrete and is used strictly for testing. |
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| The first test is temperature. Above you can see a white thermometer in the concrete. |
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| The next test is called a slump test. To prepare for the test they take a cone and fill it with the concrete. As they fill the cone, they stop every couple of scoops of concrete to settle the mixture by pushing a rod into the concrete 15 times. Once the cone is filled, the cone form is removed and they measure how far the concrete slumps down. |
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| The third test that is done measures how much air is in the concrete mixture. First a small container is filled using the same rod technique as the slump test. Once the container is full, a lid with a device that measures excess air is secured on top of the bucket. |
 Taking a reading on the amount of air in the concrete. |
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| The last test they run on the concrete tests the strength of the concrete when it has solidified. Eight cylindrical containers are filled, again using the rod method. The concrete is then allowed to harden and strength test are done at 7,14 and 28 day intervals. |
| The concrete is not only being used for walls of the structure, but it is also being poured to create “pads” that steel beams will be connected to. |
 Pouring a floor pad. |
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| At the center of each pad are four large bolts that will connect the steel beams to the pad. The steel beams will support the new structure. |
Preparing to Build – Part 2
March 12th, 2010Preparing to Build – Part 1
February 19th, 2010| As you saw in the previous entry, the base of the elevator pit was prepared and concrete was poured. Now that the base is complete, it was time to move on to the walls of the pit. The walls of the pit are also concrete and below you will the see the wall forms that were created in preparation for the concrete pour. The walls forms were created with a wooden outside wall and steel rebar was weaved throughout the forms. |
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| Rebar comes in multiple sizes based on the width of the actual bar and the different sizes are used in varying projects depending on the weight that needs to be supported. The elevator pit walls required #6 and #7 rebar. |
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| These piles of rebar are all different sizes, lengths and some are straight, while others are bent at various angles. Each size and style is ordered specifically for the different jobs that must be completed on the construction site. |
 Each pile of rebar is labeled with tags like shown in the image above that tell the size of the rebar (this is #9) and other information about the rebar. |
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| Over at the site of the new Ed, the underpinning project continues. There are 57 individual underpinnings that will be done throughout the whole project. In the photo above you will see “28” spray painted onto the wall. These numbers continue along the wall and label all 57 of the underpinnings. |
 Here is a recently completed underpinning that is covered with tarps to protect the freshly poured concrete. |
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Before wrapping up my tour, the concrete trucks arrived to start pouring the elevator pit walls. It takes multiple truck loads to pour the concrete walls and it is essential that once one truck empties, the next truck is already there waiting. Especially with the cold weather, it is important that there is little to no time between pours otherwise cold joints form in the concrete reducing continuity in the concrete structures. |
 The concrete is poured onto this conveyor belt, which moves the concrete to the rubber hose at the end. |
Demolition is done!
January 26th, 2010Demolition finished up in December and work begins to prepare for building the new structure. Crews are focused on pouring the elevator shaft and an underpinning operation that will support the currently hospital structure. Learn more in the video below.
Construction Tour Video
December 23rd, 2009We decided to try something a little different on my last tour so you could get a better idea of what is happening on the construction site. Here is a video of my most recent construction tour with Jim.
Finishing Demolition
December 22nd, 2009I was unable to take a tour for a couple weeks and as you can expect, a lot has happened since the last time I was out in the construction field.
Now that the bunker demolition has been completed, the focus has shifted to rerouting the storm and sanitation sewer and the phone lines that run through this area. In preparation for the three elevator shafts that will be installed, the systems must be rerouted out of the way.
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After viewing the bunker work, Jim and I started to head over to what was left of the old ED. On the way I noticed that crushed stone had been brought in and spread along certain areas of the construction field. |
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I found it a little funny that we were landscaping the construction area, so I asked Jim what the purpose of this stone was. The crushed stone is known as rip rap and it is spread to stabilize ground that is not vegetated to prevent silt from getting into drains. If you look closely at the photo below, you will the storm drain this rip rap is protecting. |
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Over at the location of the old ED, there isn’t much left of the original structure. |
 This is what’s left of the old ED entrance. For reference, the light post is next to where the old granite overhead used to reach out to. |
 This is what’s left of the connector walkway that joined 12 High Street and the main hospital building. |
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Now that the connector is removed, they are finishing up the demolition of the old ED. These final steps require the help of the crane to remove large blocks of concrete that are cut by the workers. |
 Here they are setting up a system to stabilize that section of the ceiling in preparation of removing another piece of concrete. |
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While on our tour, Jim also showed me how they will be building the new ED. Instead of pouring concrete on site, forms will be used to create concrete pieces that lock together. The forms will be have cross hatched steel rebar and wet concrete will be poured into the forms to create a piece like the one shown below. |
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Something else we looked at on tour was the new catch basins for the storm sewer. Normally this wouldn’t be very exciting, but I was surprised to find they were as tall as me! |
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The Bulldozers Are Coming, The Bulldozers are Coming!
November 16th, 2009| If you have driven by the hospital recently you will notice a new fence that runs along Main Street next to the old ED Entrance. This entrance is now closed off for the remainder of the project, along with part of the parking lot (25 patient and visitor spots remain). |
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| Work has begun outside of the old ED entrance although actual construction is a little ways off. Before that can begin, new drainage systems must be put in place. |
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| If you are visiting the hospital via the Main Street sidewalk, a stairway has been put in place so you can still access the 10 High Street Entrance and the parking area that remains open here. |
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| The top of the stairs is located immediately after the 10 High Street building, on the right side of Main Street where the old ED parking lot begins. |
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| Demolition |
| The demolition of this project involves three major areas, the old bunker (a storage and office area that was located under ground), the old ED entrance and waiting area, and the walkway that connected the hospital to the 12 High Street medical offices building. |
| Demolition of the Bunker |
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The bunker is made of solid concrete so it was demoed by cutting pieces and removing them one-by-one. Diamond encrusted saws were used to cut the concrete; in the picture below you see a large pool of water on the floor of the bunker which is from the saws. The workers use wet saws (water is sprayed as the saw cuts) to reduce the dust that is created during the cutting process. |
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| After each piece is cut, a crane is used to remove the concrete piece. |
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| Fun Fact: Over 80% of the materials removed during demolition will be recycled including the concrete removed here. Other materials that are being recycled are the drywall and steel/metal materials. |
| After the roof the bunker was removed, it was time for the workers to strap on harnesses and climb down into the bunker to remove the interior walls of the bunker. |
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| If you look closely (I apologize for not being able to get a closer picture but the area was blocked off to keep people out who did not know what they were doing and were liable to fall in the hole also known as people like me) you will see a wheel contraption with what looks like rope running towards the wall. This is a diamond encrusted wire saw that cut out pieces like the one you see below. |
 Fun Fact: This piece roughly weighs 38,900lbs. |
| This is what is left of the bunker today. The area left will be a part of the new lab and the arrow points to where the elevator will be installed. |
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| ED Entrance/Waiting Area Demolition |
| The first step before this area was taken down was to remove wires, walls, windows and other materials. The windows were sold to contractors to be used in other projects, the granite from the arch was sold to a company that manufactures granite countertops and fireplaces and the brick was recycled. |
 The start of the brick removal process. |
 Does this look familiar? It’s the old ED waiting area! |
 What about this one? Recognize that entrance? It’s the old ED entrance! |
 This is the view of the demolition outside of entrance. Here you see most of the granite slabs have been stripped off the arch (that’s what is laying on the ground at the foot of the arch). |
 This is what’s left of the old ED entrance. The rest will be removed by the end of November. |
| Hospital & 12 High Street Connector Demolition |
| Demolition of connector began by removing the interior materials such as the sheetrock and wires. |
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| The piece by piece the connector has been demolished. |
 About halfway done here. |
 Almost done! |
| The wooden stairway to the right of the demolition is a usable staircase so the demolition work will not go any further than your see here. |
A New Chapel
November 3rd, 2009A New Chapel
Due to the location of the ED & lab construction process, the chapel had to be moved. But instead of temporarily moving the chapel, a new chapel has been built replacing a section of the old lab. Over the past month, I have been following the progress of the chapel progress and I am happy to report that they are just about done. Below are photos from start to its current state today and some interesting facts about the new chapel.
The Old Chapel
The stained glass that was displayed along the right wall of the chapel will be moved to the new chapel.
Beginning of Construction
In preparing for the construction of the new chapel, offices that were once located in the lab area we relocated, the linoleum flooring was removed and barriers placed around the construction area. Something I learned from Jim during our tours was these plastic barriers were not only there to keep unauthorized people out, but they also, with the help of some special filtration systems, create a negative air space that helps to trap all the dust and debris created by the construction and prevents it from spilling out into the rest of the hospital.
The wall frames start to go up in the chapel.
Fun Fact: The new chapel faces directly east to assist those practicing Western religions and must pray in that direction.
Another view of the start of construction looking in from outside the doorway. The window on the left will be located in the chapel and the window on the right will be in one of the chapel offices. If you look closely you will see the frame for the wall that will separate the two areas.
Walls Going Up!
Looking in from the doorway, the walls are up for the chapel. As you can see, insulation was used in these walls to help keep out noise so that the chapel is a quiet retreat for all visitors.
A view of the inside of the chapel.
The painting has started. The bottom half of the wall will be painted and the top half will have wallpaper, which will make for better acoustics in the chapel.
Jim inspecting the ceiling before the tiles are put in place.
A view of the chapel office. This will be the reception area and through the door will be the chapel receptionist s office.
Almost Done!
New linoleum flooring has been laid and the plastic barriers are gone.
Chapel construction is pretty much complete. Moving into the new area is expected to take place
during the last couple of weeks in October.
Due to the location of the ED & lab construction process, the chapel had to be moved. But instead of temporarily moving the chapel, a new chapel has been built replacing a section of the old lab. Over the past month, I have been following the progress of the chapel progress and I am happy to report that they are just about done. Below are photos from start to its current state today and some interesting facts about the new chapel.
The Old Chapel
The stained glass that was displayed along the right wall of the chapel will be moved to the new chapel.
Beginning of Construction
In preparing for the construction of the new chapel, offices that were once located in the lab area we relocated, the linoleum flooring was removed and barriers placed around the construction area. Something I learned from Jim during our tours was these plastic barriers were not only there to keep unauthorized people out, but they also, with the help of some special filtration systems, create a negative air space that helps to trap all the dust and debris created by the construction and prevents it from spilling out into the rest of the hospital.
The wall frames start to go up in the chapel.
Fun Fact: The new chapel faces directly east to assist those practicing Western religions and must pray in that direction.
Another view of the start of construction looking in from outside the doorway. The window on the left will be located in the chapel and the window on the right will be in one of the chapel offices. If you look closely you will see the frame for the wall that will separate the two areas.
Walls Going Up!
Looking in from the doorway, the walls are up for the chapel. As you can see, insulation was used in these walls to help keep out noise so that the chapel is a quiet retreat for all visitors.
A view of the inside of the chapel.
The painting has started. The bottom half of the wall will be painted and the top half will have wallpaper, which will make for better acoustics in the chapel.
Jim inspecting the ceiling before the tiles are put in place.
A view of the chapel office. This will be the reception area and through the door will be the chapel receptionist's office.
Almost Done!
New linoleum flooring has been laid and the plastic barriers are gone.
Chapel construction is pretty much complete. Moving into the new area is expected to take place during the last couple of weeks in October.
New Shuttle Service
October 22nd, 2009To assist patients and visitors with maneuvering around the CMMC campus now that the 12 High Street connector is closed, there will be a shuttle service operating from 7:00AM- 5:30 PM, Monday – Friday. Shuttle vans will run continuously between the parking garage, 12 High Street, and 60 High Street (hospital main entrance). These vans may initially be labeled as United Ambulance vehicles but will soon be relabeled as the CMMC patient shuttle. There will also be a wheelchair-accessible van and driver on duty during these hours as well.
October 16th, 2009
The enclosed walkway connecting Central Maine Medical Center and the 12 High Street Medical Office Building will close on October 19. United Wheelchair Services will provide patient and visitors with shuttle service between the CMMC Parking Garage, 12 High Street and CMMC from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
CONSTRUCTION ALERT – 12 High Street Walkway to Close
October 16th, 2009The enclosed walkway connecting Central Maine Medical Center and the 12 High Street Medical Office Building will close on October 19. United Wheelchair Services will provide patient and visitors with shuttle service between the CMMC Parking Garage, 12 High Street and CMMC from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Walkway Closing on October 19