Ground has been broken for the Butler Health System's $167 million construction and renovation project.

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During a 2 p.m. ceremony today at Butler Memorial Hospital on East Brady Street, Ken DeFurio, system president and chief executive officer, led the dirt digging with a golden shovel as more than 100 elected officials, hospital personnel and community leaders happily sweltered in the high temperatures and humidity.A seven-story surgical tower with intensive care units, operating rooms and other patient services is expected to be completed in about 18 months.The project is being paid for through health system savings, a bond and a $13 million state grant that will help to pay debt service on the bond in the next 20 years.DeFurio said that this project will "leave a legacy of health care for generations to come."