Piedmont Walton Hospital breaks ground on emergency department expansion

Monroe, Ga. (January 13, 2026) – Piedmont Walton Hospital has broken ground on a major expansion of its emergency department, a project representing a $15 million investment in design, construction and equipment. The expansion will more than double the hospital’s current emergency care capacity and is expected to open in December 2026.

The project will include 16 new exam rooms, two trauma rooms and four fast-track rooms to the existing 15 exam rooms, significantly increasing access for patients in Walton County and surrounding communities.

“This expansion is a direct response to the growing needs of our community,” said Blake Watts, Piedmont Walton CEO. “As a Level III trauma center, more than doubling our emergency care space allows us to better serve patients when every second counts.”

The architect for the project is SmithGroup, and Baston-Cook will serve as the general contractor.

The expansion focuses exclusively on the emergency department; however, Piedmont Walton has also recently invested in advanced imaging capabilities. In 2025, the hospital added a second CT scanner and a state-of-the-art MRI machine. This new technology is already enabling a broader range of exams, delivering faster, higher-quality imaging, and will further support the expanded emergency services.