One thing that is nearing the finish line is more parking opportunities for patients and visitors to the WVU Hospital system.

Several construction projects are underway at the campus of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital to address the growing need for space, given the expansion in cancer, heart and vascular, neuroscience and pediatrics services.

WVU Medicine President and CEO Albert Wright said parking has been a matter of concern for some time.

However, the first of two parking garages to alleviate that concern is nearing completion. It is located on Willowdale Drive close to Milan Puskar Stadium and the hospital.

“It will provide for 780 additional parking spaces,” said Steve Tancin, WVU Medicine’s vice president of operations. “We’ve provided for pedestrian bridges so our personnel do not have to cross Willowdale or Med Center Drive, so we’re not creating a traffic hazard or pedestrian hazard.”

Tancin said the garage will be ready to go by Aug. 30, a key date because the goal is to have it done before the first home football game. As for game days, he said the garage will be used by the university’s athletic department during the six home game days only. Other than that, the garage will remain for staff use only.