CORTLAND, N.Y. (WHCU) – The first of three phases of parking lot construction will begin today at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center.

In this phase of the Alvena Avenue parking lot project, crews will be working on the lot directly across from the nursing and rehab center and extending to Evergreen Street. The work will be done each week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

A portion of the current lot will remain open to visitors and patients. The first phase is expected to wrap up in late September. In phase 2, Alvena Avenue will be closed off at the end closest to the Emergency Department. Access to Alvena Avenue will be available from Homer Avenue.

Phase 3 will begin as Phase 2 wraps up, but officials don’t have an official timeline yet. The entire project is expected to take four months, depending on weather.