Millinocket — On Tuesday, December 31, Millinocket Regional Hospital broke ground on a $17 million project to expand its services to those in greatest need.
“This is a watershed moment in the history of Millinocket Regional Hospital,” said Dr. Robert Peterson, the hospital’s CEO. “This is the first major construction project we’ve done since the 1990s.”
The hospital’s board of trustees, the board of the Legacy Medical Foundation, David Marshall from the Penobscot County Commissioners, and employees and families all attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.
Instead of the typical golden shovels, they used an excavator.
“Everyone who does a groundbreaking for something new does the gold shovels and hard hats,” according to Peterson. “We wanted be a little different here in Millinocket.”
With AZ Cianbro leading the construction efforts, which will begin on January 2, Peterson says the expansion and renovation will double the trauma treatment rooms, double the hospital’s current emergency room capacity from 5 to 10, and increase the department’s footprint by more than 11,000 square feet.
This means the critical access hospital will be better equipped to handle an influx of patients.
The Emergency Department Expansion Project will also include the construction of four specially designed safe rooms for behavioral health patients, an expansion of the ambulance bay, safety and efficiency improvements, and two separate waiting rooms.
According to Peterson, the pandemic has expedited the need for this expansion.
“When COVID hit our emergency department was inundated with patients.”
He claims the project was approved by the state of Maine in December.
The project receives 80% of its funding from federal grants, the Penobscot County Commissioners, and Senators Susan Collins and Angus King. Peterson believes the remaining 20% will come from grants and public donations.
“We have a little bit of funding to do but we will take care of that in the next few months.”
According to Peterson, the next closest hospitals to Millinocket are approximately 50 miles away.
“Without these small rural hospitals in place patients are in jeopardy.”
According to Peterson, the expansion project will benefit not only those in need of services, but also those who live in Millinocket.
“I learned a long time ago that if you want to relocate your business or family to the city, look for cranes. If there are cranes and construction going on, it indicates that the community is vibrant and one in which you want to invest and participate, according to Peterson. “I think that when we’re building and we’re investing in Millinocket I think that sends a message to the town that the town has recovered from the closure of the mills and is ready to move forward.”
According to Peterson, the project is expected to be completed in February 2026.
During construction, the area in front of the main entrance will be closed to parking. According to the hospital, patients, visitors, and ambulances will enter through the building’s north side. Patients and visitors can also enter the building from the lower level, via the Primary Care and Walk-In Care entrances.