For all intents and purposes, the Loma Linda campus shuts down after dark. There are a few joggers and walkers plugged into their headphones. Traffic is less on Barton Road. The occasional wail of an emergency vehicle and the always attention-getting thwop, thwop, thwop sound of an approaching helicopter pierce the night air. The entrance to the Medical Center is deserted. The turnaround is void of cars, wheelchairs, and valets. There is almost a rejuvenating hush in the air. However, in recent months, behind the security fencing, a shift of workers can be found riding the aerial lifts to various floors in the adult tower where they fan out to apply their trade. Under the lights out in the construction yards (especially the north and south yards), heavy equipment operators and teams of pipefitters can be found playing in the dirt: excavating, trenching, laying pipes, backfilling, and compacting. Last night (November 7, 2019) was one of those nights. This post will highlight a few night scenes and nightlife around the north side and on top of the Adult Hospital Tower.
Drilling one of the deep caisson shafts.In the foreground, the drilling rig stands at attention as I photograph the east side of the Medical Center. The heavy equipment in the north construction yard.With tons of concrete and heavy steel, a change comes to the Loma Linda University Medical Center entrance,A view of the north side construction yard with Medical Center towers in the background.On the other side of the Schuman Pavilion Pedestrian bridge facing the construction yard where all of the night’s activities are taking place.Trench plates were being installed to shore up the ground before the precast concrete manhole junction is placed. This work had to be done at night since this area is a heavy equipment traffic area during the day.A closeup of the trench plates. At the upper left, the excavator bucket is lowering the plate. The trench plate lying on the ground (upper right) will be lowered into the open trench just to the left of the plate. Until the job is completed, large steel plates will be placed over the holes.While on the site, I decided to take the aerial lift to the roof of the Adult Tower.A breathtaking view of the Loma Linda University Medical Center and surrounding buildings.The helipad at night.The Loma Linda University Health campus below and the valley beyond.
After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨
