Early last month, Sellen Construction, the company building the new Swedish hospital and outpatient center in Issaquah, reached a milestone in construction placing the final steal beam atop the structure.

Of course, this is not the end of the heavy lifting, with work now continuing to construct the concrete shell of the five-story medical office building and acute-care community hospital. As residents of the Highlands and commuters who use Highlands Drive can attest, the Swedish site in the Highlands is a hive of activity as workers look ahead on the phase 1 opening date of July 2011.

At that time, a wide range of outpatient services and clinics, as well as the emergency department, pharmacy and retail services, will open. The inpatient facilities, including surgeries and a pediatric inpatient unit, are expected to open in February 2012.

Reporter contributing photographer Barry Hartman has been keeping his lens trained on the burgeoning Highlands’ development. For more of his images, of the Swedish hospital building, and the workers putting it together, visit www.hartmanphotography.com/gallery/swedish