WINDSOR, Vt. (AP) – Mount Ascutney Hospital is planning an almost $6.4 million expansion that would either renovate or add more than 12,000-square-feet in the surgical unit and several departments.

The project requires state approval.

The hospital is also planning to enlarge its primary clinic with a 4,000-square-foot addition.

The hospital has seen an increase in demand for surgical care, emergency room service, laboratory and other outpatient services in the last 15 years.

Plans for the project will be submitted to the state later this month, hospital officials said. Pending state approval construction could begin by the spring of 2006, they said.

AP-ES-05-02-04 1222EDT