Yesterday’s announcement by Highmark and Allegheny Health Network about the expansion of its cancer treatment added another significant project to the list of major hospital projects. In addition to the expanded partnership with Johns Hopkins, AHN reported that it would be building a new academic cancer institute at the Allegheny General Hospital campus, as well as suburban cancer treatment centers.

The AGH facility is to be a 59,500 square foot expansion with significant related renovations to the hospital. Costs for the project could top $50 million. The development of suburban centers are part of the overall healthcare trend to move treatment into the communities where patients live. AHN explained that these centers will be removed from the AHN system hospitals themselves, which will also receive renovations to upgrade cancer treatment facilities. Estimates of the capital spending for this cancer initiative are $150 million. Work is scheduled to start on the AGH facility by end of year. The target for completion of the overall cancer institute expansion is the 2019 expiration of the AHN/UPMC Hillman Cancer Institute agreement. No architects or contractors have been engaged for the specific projects, although IKM Inc. has been involved with AGH’s institutional master planning.

In other hospital construction news, PJ Dick was chosen as construction manager for St. Clair Hospital’s $80 million expansion. The agreement covers preconstruction services that will be done during the next year.