Portions of the east upper parking deck at the Southeast Alabama Medical Center will be closed for about two weeks for construction.

The work began on Monday, and the plan is for workers to install new expansion joints.

The joints are designed to safely absorb the heat induced expansion and contractions of construction materials.

Workers at the center say the construction is for the benefit of employees, visitors and patients.

"The new expansion joint covers will help reduce the chance of people tripping and getting wet on rainy days," explains Steve Pearce, the hospital’s media relations coordinator.

The medical center will have a shuttle service running from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for those who need help getting from the overflow lot to the hospital or doctors building.