By Dan Hounsell, Senior Editor

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently announced a new 104-bed, full-service hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, that will replace the existing Robley Rex VA Medical Center.

An $840 million contract for the project includes constructing a new 910,115-square-foot medical center, parking structures, a 42,205-square-foot central utility plant, and roadways, sidewalks, and other site improvements. Groundbreaking for the new Louisville VA Medical Center, located on approximately 34 acres of land, is expected to occur in the fall of 2021. Construction is anticipated to be complete in 2025.

The new hospital will integrate modern patient-centered care concepts to provide the best possible care for Veterans. To specifically address the needs of our women Veterans, the new hospital also will include a Women’s Health Clinic with 4 Patient Aligned Care Teams. USACE will support the VA with design, planning, and construction of facilities.

“The announcement of today’s contract award is a testament to the strong partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Veterans Affairs and brings us one step closer to delivering this much-anticipated state-of-the-art medical facility,” said Col. Eric Crispino, USACE’s Louisville district commander. “We are proud to play a role in this project and remain committed to delivering the new Louisville VA Medical Center in a timely and cost-effective manner to serve our local Kentuckiana Veterans.”