CELINA (WBAP/KLIF) – Triple-digit temperatures aren’t slowing down construction on Methodist Celina Medical Center, but crews are having to work some odd hours to beat the heat.
During the current heatwave, crews are starting their concrete pours on the $237 million project around 1 a.m. each morning. According to industry experts, wet concrete needs time to dry properly, and the blistering sun would dry the slabs too fast and affect the finish and quality.
“We like to get the pour started earlier in the morning when it’s cool to make sure to get it laid down and finished before it gets too hot,” said Justin Davis, lead construction superintendent.
High temperatures aren’t just tough on the concrete; it’s hard on the workers, as well. Along with the nighttime pours, project managers have other day-shift workers starting at 4 a.m. to make sure they are done before the afternoon heat.
The 48-bed facility is slated to open in 2025 and will be Methodist Health System’s first hospital in far Northern Collin County.
Copyright 2023. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.