HERSHEY, Pa. — People in one of Pennsylvania’s most populous counties will soon have greater health care access and choice close to home when Penn State Health opens a new acute care hospital near state Route 283 in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.

The new hospital, proposed for 30 acres near the intersection of State Road and Harrisburg Pike, means residents of Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties will have enhanced access to Penn State Health’s expertise and specialty services without having to make the drive to Hershey.

Construction of the building is anticipated to begin in 2020, pending completion of all necessary approvals and continuing dialogue with community and township leaders.

The new hospital will feature all private inpatient beds, an emergency department, physician offices, various specialty inpatient services, an imaging lab, and complete medical and surgical capabilities.

“We are committed to building a regional health network across central Pennsylvania that gives our patients a full range of care right in their neighborhoods,” said Steve Massini, CEO of Penn State Health. “This new acute care facility is another step toward delivering on our promise to ensure the communities we serve are within 10 minutes of our primary care providers, 20 minutes of our specialty care and 30 minutes of our acute care.”

In the fall of 2017, Penn State Health welcomed the providers and staff of Physician’s Alliance Ltd., with 12 practices across Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties. Since then, Berks Cardiologists, All About Children (Reading), Schuylkill Valley Family Practice (Leesport) and Andrews Patel Hematology/Oncology (Harrisburg and Camp Hill) joined the health system’s growing community network. Earlier this year, Penn State Health opened the Lime Spring Outpatient Center, a 76,000-square-foot outpatient facility in East Hempfield Township that features primary care and a large complement of specialty care services. In March, Penn State Health broke ground on its third adult acute care hospital, Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center (Mechanicsburg).

Penn State Health is anchored in Hershey by the advanced care provided by the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the region’s only university teaching and research hospital, as well as by Penn State Cancer Institute and Penn State Children’s Hospital.

The new facility will create hundreds of well-paying jobs, both during construction and for hospital operations.

Video footage of the planned hospital site is available from Penn State Health.