Hanover Hill Behavioral Health, a joint venture partnership between Lehigh Valley Health Network and Universal Health Services, held a beam topping ceremony Tuesday, an age-old tradition in which the last beam is placed on a construction project.

This marks a major milestone for everyone on the project and it signifies the countless hours poured into the construction of the building.

The new Hanover Hill Behavioral Health will be located at 1755 West Macada Road, Bethlehem, near the Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Muhlenberg campus.

“This beam topping is an important milestone toward the opening of Hanover Hill Behavioral Health,” said Edward Norris, MD, chief medical executive, behavioral and community health chair, Department of Psychiatry, LVHN. “It is a visual representation of our commitment to bring much-needed behavioral health care services to our community. We are proud to see the facility take shape and look forward to its opening in 2025.”

“The beam topping symbolizes that we are one step closer to bringing this new hospital to life and thereby serving the behavioral health needs of this community,” said Matt Peterson, president, Behavioral Health Division, UHS. “The commitment, energy and enthusiasm of the entire team working on this project is palpable. This passion will carry through when we open and begin serving patients and families with the high-quality care they expect and deserve.”

On track to open in 2025, Hanover Hill Behavioral Health will span more than 97,000 square feet and accommodate up to 144 beds, serving seniors, adults and adolescents with modern, innovative and evidence-based behavioral health care focused on individual needs, comfort and safety. Once completed and fully open, Hanover Hill Behavioral Health will employ approximately 300 full-time staff including physicians, nurses, therapists, mental health technicians, dietary and administrative personnel.

Programming will be tailored to individual patient needs, with core psychiatric services and counseling supplemented with art therapy, music therapy and outdoor activities.

To view images of the beam topping, a live shot of construction and renderings of the planned interior, visit the Hanover Hill Behavioral Health website at https://hanoverhillbh.com/.