Big Dig: Major construction at Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan begins

Construction is kicking into high gear at the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan.

Graham Construction and Engineering is now entering into Phase Two of the project. Starting this week, crews will be busy digging the sub-basement for the building.

240 piles have already been poured for the building's foundation.

"Every day now moving forward, we're going to see progress," said Project Director Craig Ayers. "We're going to work hard through September to have a safe and effective mobilization of the construction activities on the sites."

Access to the hospital's entrance and parking will begin to be affected next week as crews work on power, gas and water connections to the new building. Administrators ask that people plan ahead, and be careful to follow signs around Royal University Hospital.

"We ask that people pay attention and be careful, please take some extra time when you're coming to the site," he said. "We're doing everything we can to make sure they have access to the parking structure, but we want it to be safe."

There's going to be some big equipment brought in to build the new hospital, including a 270 foot high tower crane, one of the largest construction cranes in Canada.

The hospital is expected to open in late 2019.