BAKERSFIELD, CA Construction has commenced on a new 25-bed Tehachapi Critical Care Replacement Hospital 35 miles southeast of Bakersfield, California. The $90 million project is a joint venture between Bernards and Colombo Construction.

The 77,889-square-foot critical access facility will offer acute care and outpatient services. It will be the only healthcare facility in Tehachapi, a rural area of Kern County, California.

The hospital will include 16 medical/surgical beds, four intensive care beds, and a five-bed obstetrical (labor and delivery/postpartum) unit. It will also contain an emergency room, anesthesia services, a radiology/imaging center, a clinical laboratory, dietetic services space, a pharmacy and nearly 16,000 square feet for administrative offices. The property will also include facility support functions like a central plant, general storage area and laundry area.

Tehachapi Critical Care Replacement Hospital is scheduled for completion in 2016. SWA Architects is designing the project.