Louisville's new VA Hospital about 80% complete; opening expected in 2027

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Crews are making steady progress on Louisville's new VA hospital, a massive project now four years in the making.

The $970 million facility, located along Interstate 264 in east Louisville, is about 80% complete, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project has experienced cost growth of around $40 million and is roughly four months behind schedule, but leaders said momentum is strong.

According to Terry Durham with the Army Corps of Engineers, cost increases come about due to changes made to the contract that are inherent to large medical center constructions.

USACE accounted for the changes in the budget for the project, Durham said.

IMAGES | Construction continues for Louisville's new VA Hospital

"Right now, the focus is on testing, commissioning and making sure systems work as designed," Durham said.

On Tuesday, workers were installing skylights and finishing parts of the exterior. As colder weather approaches, crews will begin testing massive boilers that will heat the 1 million–square–foot hospital.

"There are a lot of people on the site — hundreds in and out every day," Durham said, noting that nearly 800 workers are involved in the effort.

For many of those on the job, the work is personal.

"We have several veterans that work on our staff as well as a big percentage of the trade men and women on this project," Durham said. "There's a lot of pride in what we do, and I think that is going to show once we complete the facility and turn it over to the VA."

Inspections and corrections will continue over the next several months. The Army Corps expects construction to wrap up by the end of 2026. After that, the current VA hospital will begin transitioning operations to the new site — a process that could take up to a year.

The first patients are expected to be seen in the new hospital in the second half of 2027.

Leaders share progress report on Louisville's new VA hospital as construction continues

Sen. Rand Paul visits with Kentucky veterans at VA benefits event in Bullitt County