The new clinical building and parkade slated to be built in front of Royal Inland Hospital is on schedule, despite some confusion around the timelines.

RIH health service director Kris Kristjanson said Monday the earthworks for the project are expected to begin this spring, after the business case is finalized and approved by Victoria.

At the same time, the procurement will begin for the design and build of the actual edifice. He said if all goes according to plan, the project will be ready for construction in 2014.

That has always been the timeline for the $80-million project, but there has been some confusion, possibly due to people assuming breaking ground meant building a foundation.

Last week, a memo was circulated among RIH staff and doctors explaining the project was under review by the Ministry of Health “as per the normal capital funding process.”

The memo mentioned the 2014 construction start, with a proviso that “as with any construction project, things may change, but this is our best estimate at this time.”

Kristjanson said the project is on track. The business case was completed last year and is in the ministry’s hands.

“We’re waiting now as it goes through process,” he said.

The site itself is a complicated one for construction. The new clinical building and parkade will be level with Columbia Street, which means much of the hill will have to be dug out.

Some site preparations have already begun, and more will be done once ministry approvals come through, such as removing or moving some of the trees on the property.

When it’s done, the building will include 10 outpatient programs, teaching space for medical students and a 350-stall parkade.

Construction is expected to take 28 months.