Alabama’s Certificate of Need Review Board approved Brookwood Medical Center’s proposal to build the state’s first free-standing emergency room at the intersection of Shelby County 119 and Highway 280 East, according to a press release from the hospital.

“We believe in bringing the most-needed services to our patient base, at the place where our patients need them most,” said Brookwood CEO Garry Gause. “The congestion on roadways such as Highway 280 makes timely access to emergency care a growing challenge that will only worsen with future population growth. This facility will provide earlier treatment for emergency medical services when seconds count.”

The $19 million, nearly 20,000 square foot facility will provide around-the-clock care by board-certified emergency medicine physicians with specialty physicians available 24 hours a day.

It will include 24-hour laboratory, pharmacy and diagnostic services such as CT, MRI, X-ray and ultrasound.

The facility also includes a helipad for emergency air transfer.

For further information, visit 280ERNow.com.