LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky veterans will soon have access to a new state-of-the-art hospital as construction continues on the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. 

Terry Durham is one crew member working on the 104-bed, full service hospital on Brownsboro Road. 

“We're very excited about the progress that we're making," said Durham, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "I think you can see that just by passing by every few weeks. The site definitely looks different. Manpower is starting to increase." 

The project started about two-and-a-half years ago and is now about halfway complete. About 500 crew members are working on the construction, which Durham said will soon increase to 700. 

“(The) majority of the work has transitioned to the interior of the hospital and starting to build out the mechanical, electrical, plumbing type of infrastructure," Durham said. "That's necessary prior (to) getting the walls closed in.”

The team said the new hospital will provide advanced health care in a comfortable, safe and healing environment, including short emergency room waits, state-of-the-art equipment, newer facilities and ample parking. 

Navy veteran Doug Hayes is on the construction team. He said he has benefited from the current VA hospital and is excited for the new campus to open. 

“I had a very, very, very bad case of poison ivy, and I was able to get in there and get taken care of very quickly," Hayes said. "Seems like the wait times aren't near as long."  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it is working close with Veterans Affairs to provide top resources for the patients. 

“They coordinate with the existing hospital staff to make sure that we receive their input,” Durham said. 

The $910 million project is set to be completed in 2026. 

The Robley Rex VA Medical Center plans to provide specialty care for women veterans, including a women’s health clinic with four patient aligned care teams.