STEUBEN COUNTY, N.Y. -- A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday at the Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital. The ceremony was held to mark the start of a $3.1 million Emergency Department upgrade at the hospital.

A variety of improvements will be made to the facility, including an expansion that will double the number of treatment areas and will also upgrade medical equipment and technology. There will be a newly constructed ambulance entrance and a grade-level, barrier-free entrance for patients, families and staff.

The project is expected to be complete by early 2013.