Engelberth Construction Advances Behavioral Health Expansion at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center

Highlights

• Engelberth Construction is building a new adolescent inpatient behavioral health unit at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, Vermont.
• The project includes a 7,800-square-foot behavioral health facility with 10 private patient rooms and one specialty care room.
• Construction involves renovating and expanding an existing hospital space while maintaining ongoing medical operations.
• The project is supported by state funding and is being developed in collaboration with Dartmouth Health.
• Work includes structural upgrades, new MEP systems, medical equipment installation and exterior site improvements.

Growing demand for behavioral health services continues to drive healthcare construction projects that expand specialized treatment capacity while minimizing disruption to active medical facilities. Engelberth Construction is progressing work on a new adolescent inpatient behavioral health unit at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, adding dedicated treatment space for young patients in southwestern Vermont.

Behavioral Health Facility Expansion

The project will create a 7,800-square-foot Adolescent Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit designed to provide inpatient mental health care for adolescents. Once completed, the facility will include 10 private patient rooms along with one specialized room for patients requiring additional medical support.

The expansion is supported through state funding and is being delivered in partnership with Dartmouth Health to increase regional access to adolescent behavioral healthcare.

Construction began with demolition of approximately 6,600 square feet of existing hospital space on the facility's lower level before renovation and expansion activities commenced.

Construction Within an Active Hospital

The scope of work includes structural modifications, installation of new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, masonry, interior framing, medical equipment installation and exterior site improvements. The behavioral health unit will also incorporate building materials and finishes suited for inpatient psychiatric care.

Because neighboring patient care areas remain operational throughout construction, Engelberth Construction is implementing phased construction activities, infection control measures, noise and vibration mitigation, and ongoing coordination with hospital staff to maintain safe healthcare operations during the project.

Why It Matters

Behavioral health infrastructure remains a growing priority for healthcare providers seeking to expand inpatient treatment capacity while modernizing existing campuses. For healthcare owners, contractors and facility managers, projects completed within occupied hospitals require careful planning, phased execution and specialized construction practices that protect patients, staff and uninterrupted clinical operations.

Source: Engelberth Construction Inc.