Milford-based construction manager Consigli Construction Co. Inc. broke ground on Friday on a 115,000-square-foot addition at Milford Regional Medical Center (MRMC).

The $54 million facility, which will accommodate 70,000 visits annually, will more than double the size of the current emergency department and include expanded diagnostic imaging space. On the upper level, the intensive care unit will include 16 new expanded patient rooms. A 24-bed telemetry unit will offer private rooms for patients and families with family sleeping space, private bathrooms, televisions and kitchen accommodations. The new addition includes reconfiguring the medical center so that eventually every room will be private.

"This is a transformational project that will result in a new, more modern, more efficient, more comfortable and better healthcare facility," Francis M. Saba, CEO of MRMC, said in a statement.

The project is slated for completion in fall 2015. The architect is TRO Jung/Brannen and owner’s project manager is Murphy McManus.