HOSPITAL WORK CITED IN REPORT

Hospital construction across Missouri will help cushion weaknesses this year in commercial and residential construction, says Update, a Southwestern Bell Corp., publication for business managers in five states.

"Missouri hospitals reflect a national trend, undergoing construction because of lower interest rates and strong demand for services," the magazine said.

Locally, Southeast Missouri Hospital is building a three-level expansion to its parking garage. The $1.5 million project should be completed in about six weeks.

Neither Southeast nor St. Francis Medical Center have definite long-term construction plans. Spokesmen for both said each has gone through a heavy cycle of construction.

Update reported on current public construction projects in the state, including Interstate 44 and U.S. Highway 40, Metrolink Light Rail, Cervantes Convention Center and the Science Center, all in the St. Louis area.