Spending on the Tehachapi Critical Care Replacement Hospital construction is proceeding at a fast clip, Project Manager Stacey Pray told the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District board of directors on Jan. 21, 2015. All available funds will be committed by the end of 2015, she said. An additional $14.7 million will be needed to complete the ER, medical-surgical and kitchen wings and other integral departments.

Tina Fisher Cunningham

The hospital entry leads to a dramatic high-ceilinged lobby with clerestory windows.

The ICU, obstetrics, public dining and administrations wings will be left as shells to be finished later.

"I will stop construction $5 million before we run out of funds, to pay for retention and closeout," she said.

The rapid spending is buying rapid construction. Pray reported: All building floor slabs were completed in December, 2014. The metal deck is being installed on the north side. The south side of the hospital is getting a roof. Interior mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are being stalled and interior wall framing has begun in the service building.