POCATELLO - Construction on the new Portneuf Medical Center hospital is ahead of schedule. Norman Stephens, PMC President and CEO said, "Construction is going on great."

One of the most obvious elements of this project is that it's enormous.

So far, 17,000 square feet of concrete has been poured, and 400 pieces of sheet rock are placed every day. Stephens said, "It's about 10 times larger than the existing emergency room, not just in overall rooms, but in the size of the rooms."

Operating rooms, and patient rooms will also be larger.

Plus, it will be more efficient.

Most equipment will drop out of the ceiling giving physicians more access to move around.

A few departments have had a chance to see their new home. "There is sort of a whens it going to be my turn going on throughout the hospital so everybody's very excited," said Stephens.

This $220 million project is about two months ahead of schedule.

And not only are employees excited to see how much extra space they're going to have, but construction workers are also happy to see it all coming together. Ron Loftus, Layton Construction General Superintendent said, "You just really start seeing the character of the building."

That will eventually include original artwork and 187 rooms with a great view of the Gate City.

Right now about 331 workers are on the job every day, with 270 employed from Idaho.

Two floors are almost ready for finishing work but there are still five more to go. Loftus said, "Hospital work is a lot different than just going out and building a warehouse somewhere."

Along with building the new hospital the existing structure will be renovated to make everything the same.

Administrators believe it will be the most advanced medical center in the state when it opens.