Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr said a building permit has been filed for the structure portion of a new $40 million WVU Medicine United Hospital Center outpatient surgery center. Work has begun as earth is being moved in the area beside the parking area for the emergency department.

“This is another substantial UHC project,” said Kerr. “The building in question will be two stories and will cover 62,000 square feet.”

Kerr said the first floor will include eight operating rooms. As of now, the plans show no details for the second floor.

“There will also be a connecting, enclosed, walkway that attaches the main hospital to the new building for any need that arises, including emergency situations,” said Kerr.

The contractor is Deangelis Diamond General Contractor of Nashville. Multiple engineers, she said, are listed on the plans. The engineers include the Bridgeport-based Thrasher Group, Aero Structural Engineering of Morgantown, and TLC Engineering Solutions of Maryland.

Of the $40 million total cost, the grading and infrastructure that has begun is $2,675,000. Deangelis Diamond General Contractor is handling that portion of the project as well. That permit was filed last year.