New York Construction Report staff writer
Construction has reached the topping-out milestone on a $1.7-billion laboratory project in Albany, with completion of the structural steel frame for a five-storey, 663,000-square-foot facility.
The Gilbane Building Company and Turner Construction Company joint venture is delivering the Wadsworth Center Laboratory at the W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus in association with design partner HOK.
The final steel beam was signed by skilled tradespeople, project partners and state and local officials before being lifted into place.
This is the largest construction undertaking in the history of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).
The steel frame comprises more than 8,200 major components weighing approximately 5,545 tons. More than 200 skilled tradespeople are working onsite daily, representing about 40 contractor businesses.
“This milestone reflects the skill, dedication and expertise of the tradespeople and project partners bringing this facility to life,” said Keith Leal, vice-president and upstate New York business leader at Gilbane Building Company.
Carl Stewart III, vice-president and general manager at Turner Construction Company, said the topping out reflects the work of the project team and skilled tradespeople.
The facility will consolidate five existing New York State Department of Health laboratory locations across the Capital Region, bringing nearly 800 employees together in one building. It will support infectious disease surveillance, environmental health research, newborn screening and diagnostic testing.
With structural steel erection complete, crews are advancing work on the building’s floors, fireproofing, electrical and plumbing systems, and other building services.
Installation of the exterior façade is expected to begin later this year, with the building anticipated to be fully enclosed in 2027.
Substantial completion is expected in late 2029, followed by final construction completion in early 2030. The Department of Health will own and operate the facility.
Participation by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses has exceeded the project’s combined 36 per cent participation target, according to the project team.
The laboratory is being designed with an emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainability and adaptability to changing public health and scientific research requirements.
With structural steel erection complete, crews are continuing work on floors, fireproofing, electrical, plumbing and other building systems. Installation of the exterior façade is expected to begin later this year, with the building scheduled to be fully enclosed in 2027.
The project remains on schedule and on budget. Substantial completion is expected in late 2029, when the Department of Health will begin taking ownership of the facility and relocating laboratory operations. Final construction completion is anticipated in early 2030.
Participation by Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses has exceeded the project’s combined 36 per cent participation target, the state said.
The Department of Health will own and operate the laboratory, which will support infectious disease surveillance, wastewater testing, environmental health, newborn screening, diagnostic testing and laboratory oversight. The facility is being designed with an emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability.
