An $18.5 million expansion project has begun at the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned.

The hospital plans to continue its services throughout the construction project, which is expected to be completed by the spring of 2013.

Hays Medical Center took over operations of the critical access hospital in March 2010.

The north tower of the hospital has been taken down and excavation and dirt work is continuing at the hospital.

Hays Medical has added services and staff since taking over the hospital.