New London - Construction activities at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital will require the Emergency Department entrance to be relocated during daytime hours this weekend.

Active crane operation related to the renovation of an inpatient unit and the ongoing construction of the new Joint Replacement Center will take place between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and the regular Emergency Department entrance will be closed to all patients, visitors and staff during that time, the hospital announced Tuesday.

The crane will be situated directly in front of the Emergency Department entrance on Faire Harbour Place. It is the only available location for the crane to load steel and other construction materials on the roof adjacent to the inpatient unit.

During the hours when the crane is in operation, a re-located temporary check-in station for emergency patient care will be set up in the driveway adjacent to the ambulance bay, also on Faire Harbour Place. The temporary station will be staffed by emergency department triage personnel, valet services and patient transport, and the team will oversee appropriate access to the department during this time, providing patients with an escort when necessary.

Additional temporary stations at the top and bottom of the Faire Harbour parking garage ramp will be staffed with emergency department triage, valet services and traffic coordinators, who will direct cars and pedestrians away from the closed entrance and to the temporary check-in station for care.

During daytime crane operation, all L+M physicians and staff are asked to enter the parking garage from the Montauk Avenue side, and once parked will be required to use the “Blue Main Entrance” elevator and stairwell for access to the hospital’s main or ambulatory care center entrances. The “Green Emergency” elevator and stairwell leading the regular emergency entrance will not be accessible.

All hospital visitors should only use the main entrance during this time.

Reception desk staff will use revised instructions, and signage throughout the hospital will notify visitors of the temporary changes in routing and directions. A third temporary station staffed by public safety personnel and escorts will be located at the third floor green elevator alcove to direct patients and visitors into the emergency reception area.