The Week of April 13, 2020 — The Pandemic Continues, Swallows Have Discovered the Towers, a Few Days of Sunshine, and the Work Goes On
The featured image for this week’s post is a three-panel collage representing the three types of weather that have graced the Loma Linda University Health Troesh Medical Campus over the last 48-hours.
O those azure skies, the snow in the mountains, moderate temperatures, and then to top it off, I spotted the familiar flight pattern of the swallow: banking, and swooping as they darted back and forth around the towers. Apparently, the Rough-winged swallows have found a home. Despite the face mask and social distancing required by the pandemic, today (Tuesday, April 14, 2020) was a beautiful spring day, which will be short lived. The meteorologist is predicting rain for Friday and more clouds over the weekend. UGH!
On Barton Road between Campus and Anderson Street, the left lanes going in both directions are blocked off by k-rail as the fencing and bushes in the median are being removed in preparation for reconfiguring the eastbound traffic lane to allow for a left turn into the Emergency Department drop off and parking areas.
Rough-Winged Swallows Fly Above The Adult Hospital Tower
There they were, three (at least I could see) Rough-Winged swallows flying above the Adult Hospital tower. Because of the distance it was impossible to properly frame the birds. The swallow in the rectangle is closeup of the bird at the lower left. The caption and a fuzzy image will have to serve as proof positive for the time being.
Update on the Adult Hospital Tower
A picturesque view of the Loma Linda University Health Troesh Medical Campus as the alpenglow falls upon the west side of the towers and the mountains in the background. From this angle, the enormity of the complex is absolutely stunning. Another view of the Loma Linda University Health Troesh Medical Campus as seen from the Loma Linda hills. How many buildings can you identify?Just after 5:00 PM, as the storm clouds gather, one of the shifts leaves for the day. The white tarp hanging over the leave out bay from the fifth floor to grade serves as a shield against the rain. At 5:53 AM, the east gate is open and a shift arrives for the day. The tarp over the leave out bay will be removed as a crew from tower glass will prepare the area for installation of the leuvers and perforated screens along the facade of the fourth floor.By 8:00 AM, the tarp had been lowered and a crew was up in a snorkel lift working on leave out bay. The image in the upper right is a closer view of the leave out bay and the area where the crew is working.A closer view of the leave out bay.Around on the south side of the Children’s Hospital under the Emergency Departments center cantilever two crew members (center) from Tower Glass are sorting the leuvers that will be installed in the leave out bay.By 8:30 AM on April 15, 2020, a few of the panels had been installed. The inset image in the upper right is a closer view of that section.This image shows that all the windows and screens have been installed in the leave out bay sections with the exception of a few windows at grade where the white tarps hang.
The Walls of the Emergency Generator Plant Go Up Block by Block — Update
The Scope of the Project: The block layers are on site and are in their second day of work.A view of the project from Taylor Street. The first row of block has been laid on the stem wall to the right (east side) of the project.One of the generator pads, which is being reinforced with rebar and steel embeds, which will support a single generator weighing approximately 45,000 pounds and costing approximately $5 million each. At the end of Taylor Court, carpenters are assembling the embeds for the generator pads.
Three Days Later
Upon arriving on site (the corner of Taylor Street and Taylor Court) on Friday (04.17.20), I could see a noticeable change. Inside the Switchgear section of the Emergency Generator Plant, we see the tall double door frame, which will lead to the Generator Yard.The block masons are beginning to make progress in the switchgear room. Soon scaffolding will go up on the right side of the frame.Inside the Generator Yard: After the steel embeds are positioned and anchored, inspectors of record, inspectors, and foremen for this particular project meet around the footing form for Generator Number 1.Inside the Generator Yard.
The Galleria and Main Entrance Canopy — Update
Clear Skies and the laborers are out in force before the next rain storm comes in.
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 🔨
