Raleigh, N.C. — WakeMed is making progress on their largest expansion since the facility's founding.

Outside of the building is a new 1,200-space parking deck connected by a bridge to the future hospital’s main entrance and four-level patient tower.

Inside the building, workers are busy constructing what will be the pediatric floor.

WakeMed’s Vice President of Facilities Construction Thomas Cavender and Vice President Administrator David Coulter say the new 45 bed children's hospital will be more family friendly.

The rooms will have more space and include a larger bathroom and shower for parents who stay overnight.

“So it gives parents a whole different approach to being able to take care of their kids,” Coulter said.

Each room on the pediatric floor will be laid out the same so nurses and doctors will be instantly familiar with the room and know where to find supplies.

On the third floor, the cardiac services department will have 41 adult beds. The second floor will hold more intensive care unit space.

The 168,000-square foot expansion will hold more hospital beds, operating beds and create more jobs.

WakeMed isn’t the only hospital in Wake County that is expanding. Rex and Duke Raleigh Health recently opened new outpatient and urgent care centers in eastern Wake County. UNC Hospitals is also finishing a new cancer center.