Big Pour Signals New SJRMC Will Be Here Soon
The first of 341 truckloads from the Transit Mix, Inc., plants in South Bend, Plymouth, and LaPorte, made their way to the jobsite of the new Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center at Midnight on February 6. Thirteen hours and 3,400 cubic yards of concrete later, what will be the new SJRMC had its loading dock completely poured and finished.
“It’s another milestone as we near the opening of our new hospital later this year,” said Nancy R. Hellyer, SJRMC’s President and CEO. “What’s fascinating about this accomplishment is the incredible scope of this project and how well-coordinated and executed it was. We are very fortunate to have such a great team giving it everything they have for the new Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center under whatever conditions Mother Nature presents them.”
The Mortenson/Tonn and Blank team had to battle some biting cold temperatures that were slowly rising throughout the wee small hours of the morning just enough to allow for this massive pour to take place. By 3:00 PM, the mercury had risen to the mid-40’s as the last trucks roared back to the concrete plants following their record pour.
In all, 33,000 square feet of surface area was covered for the 2’-9” thick slab. Four concrete pumps were used, with a fifth on standby, as 30 workers placed the concrete while another 60 lent support in the form of truck drivers, traffic control, and concrete testing. From Midnight to 3:00 PM one concrete truck unloaded every 2 ½ minutes.