FOLEY — South Baldwin Regional Medical Center reached a milestone in its $200 million expansion and modernization project by "topping out" the patient tower in Foley.

The last steel beam placed atop the structure was signed by employees, medical staff and volunteers and marked the facility reaching its highest point.

According to Taylor Lewis, marketing director for the medical center construction is on track to be completed in the last quarter of 2024. The expansion will increase the facility's capacity to 142 beds, Hospital Administrator Margaret Roley said at a groundbreaking ceremony in February.

The construction is erecting a five-story building next to the current 65-year-old hospital. Once open, the facility will be able to consolidate and update services. It will house a new outpatient and procedural area, expanded OB women's services, medical surge surgical beds and a new ICU.

"We're the No. 1 fastest growing city two of the last five years," Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said at the groundbreaking in February. "Baldwin County is booming, and now we're going to have a facility that matches the quality of care that our people inside those walls do. This is going to be outstanding. This is a great day."