ELKHART – A $74 million expansion project is coming to a local hospital.

Leaders at Elkhart General say the facility will add 10 state of the art operating rooms, surgical suites, and 44 new patient rooms as part of a 150,000 square foot addition.

The old surgery suites were built more than 40 years ago and made renovations unrealistic, according to a news release.

The hospital says the upgrades are needed to accommodate new technology.

Construction is expected to start in the fall and finish by the end of 2015.