By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Missouri Health Faciliites Review Committee unanimously approved the $75 million facility Monday.
Opponents had argued the hospital would represent unnecessary duplication of services in the area. St. Charles County already has four hospitals.
But BJC's David Ross says there's no hospital in the southern part of the county.
"The population is growing west of the Missouri River," says Ross. "And if you look at schools and fire stations and other basic infrastructural needs in any community, they are also growing in St. Charles County."
The new facility is expected to open by the end of 2006 at the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway K in O'Fallon.