After years of planning, I-S-J finally broke ground on the Mayo Health System's largest capital project this year... a new emergency department.News 12's Sara Miles tells us why this nearly 30 million-dollar project is vital to the region and community.ISJ's CEO Dr. Greg Kutcher says,"this has been on our plans for a long time."And those plans finally came together today...ISJ's CEO Dr. Greg Kutcher and other Mayo Clinic representatives broke ground on its new 65 thousand square foot emergency department...((1 2 3...nats))The current facility was built 20 years ago for 18 thousand patients a year, but has grown.... with 27 thousand visits last year and 35 thousand expected annually by 2019.Kutcher says," "our current emergency department is too small, and this provides us the space and the facilities to do better what we are already doing well."((SU))The facility will be built right here and will be nearly double in size of the current department, it will feature a new ambulance garage, new loading dock and high efficiency equipment, but all that aside officials say the most important thing are the patients who will come here to use them.VP MHS Board of Directors s Dennis Miller says, "I'm completely convinced that the doctors here saved his life..."Patients like Dennis Millers son... 15 years ago when he was just eight years old...Chris was rushed to the hospital with meningitis...Miller says, "the good work that they did have resulted in a fantastic life for my son Chris who recently graduated from college and is now off doing the things he wants to do."It's for that reason Miller is so thankful to be on Mayo Health System's board of directors...The group that recommended the enhancement and expansion of the hospital.Miller says, "this is yet another step along a journey of creating a regional medical center here in Mankato."Previous steps were the additions of the Heart Center in 2008 and the Cancer center in 2009.Miller says, "now with the addition of the E-D, Emergency Department, will even add another rung to that ladder.'A ladder Dr. Kutcher is ready to climb...In Mankato, SM, News 12I-S-J will cover two-thirds of the cost with the remaining covered by charitable giving.Dr. Kutcher says he doesn't expect any disruptions to its current department during the 18 months of construction.