Memorial Health Will Close ER Entrance for Construction
The hospital is beginning a $350 million expansion project that will add 90 beds and 1,000 parking spaces to its Savannah campus.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Healthcare
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Beginning October 5, 2026, Memorial Health will close its Metts Drive emergency room entrance for two years. This closure facilitates the construction of a new $350 million patient tower that is designed to address a regional population growth of 11% over the past five years.
Why it matters
The expansion will increase the hospital's capacity to 718 total inpatient beds, including enhanced ICU-level care, to better serve its patient base spanning over 35 counties in southeast Georgia.
The $350 million project adds 90 beds to the facility, bringing the total to 718 inpatient beds upon completion in 2028. The site will also gain 1,000 new parking spaces to accommodate increased traffic.
The players
Memorial Health
This major healthcare provider serves more than 35 counties throughout the southeast Georgia region.
The details
As part of the project, the hospital will demolish its 600 building and portions of the existing loading dock to make way for the new structure. Patients visiting the hospital during the two-year construction window must use alternative entrances located at 66th Street or Ranger Street.
Timeline
The Metts Drive emergency room entrance will close on October 5, 2026.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony for the project is scheduled for mid-November 2026.
The patient tower project is expected to reach completion in 2028.
Market Landscape
This project represents a significant capacity expansion under the regulatory oversight of the Georgia Department of Community Health's Certificate of Need program. The investment reflects a broader industry trend of consolidating healthcare services to manage high growth in regional demand.
Patients and visitors arriving at the Savannah campus should plan for longer transit times and use the 66th Street or Ranger Street entrances starting in October. Local residents can anticipate ongoing construction activity in the vicinity for the next two years.
The takeaway
Patients needing emergency care should familiarize themselves with the alternative entrance routes to ensure timely access to the facility. This major construction project indicates a long-term commitment by the hospital to support the rising healthcare needs of the growing southeast Georgia population.
Further reading
For more information on regional medical facility changes, visit our Healthcare section.
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Do you support long-term facility closures if they lead to improved local hospital care access?
