MU moving construction crews into place for new Women’s and Children’s

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri will start moving construction crews over to the site of the new Women's and Children's Hospital next week.

An email from MU Campus Facilities said crews will be mobilized on Monday.

Crews will be placed around the MU Health Care complex on Lake and Hitt streets starting next week.

Drivers could see delays and road closures periodically with work set to continue through at least May. The email said Hospital Drive west of the Hitt Street intersection will close on March 29, it's scheduled to reopen on April 12.

Portions of Hitt Street near the same area will be closed starting on April 19 and continuing through mid-May. University officials said crews will be directing traffic in the area.

The University of Missouri System approved the construction and relocation of the new hospital in November 2020. Documents say $242 million has been budgeted for the project. It's expected to be completed in 2024.

The new Women's and Children's will be built near University Hospital and other MU Health Care buildings. University plans say integration of the hospital will begin in the fall.

Plans to repurpose the old hospital have not been announced as of Thursday.