Citrus Memorial Hospital began construction on a helipad Monday, and that's affecting traffic patterns and parking.
Early Monday, hospital security began restricting traffic and parking at the front of the emergency room at 502 W Highlands Blvd. in Inverness. Designated ER parking will be made available in the main hospital parking lot.
During construction, the emergency room entrance and sidewalk connecting the main hospital entrance to the ER will remain open. A security guard will be stationed near the main hospital entrance to direct and assist patients, according to the Citrus County Chronicle.
The hospital is adding a helipad in anticipation of applying for Level II Trauma Center status this spring. The work is expected to take seven weeks.