UAB Thursday broke ground on a new facility in Gardendale. The freestanding emergency department and medical office building will be located on Mount Olive Road, sparing residents of North Jefferson County the need to travel to downtown Birmingham. "This brings quality of life to this area that is welcome," said Gov. Kay Ivey, who noted it will create 100 extra jobs or more. Gardendale mayor Stan Hogeland predicted the project would boost growth in non-medical sectors, like material products. The facility is expected to open in the Spring of 2019.