Orange County commissioners heard from a UNC Hospital official Tuesday night about the proposed expansion of the hospital in Hillsborough.

William L. Roper, Dean of the UNC School of Medicine, said UNCH is looking to develop a branch hospital because the current location on Manning Drive is jammed full almost everyday.

"We want to serve this growing region of the state," Roper said. "The fastest and most cost effective way to exapnd is not on Manning Drive, but at the new site in Waterstone development (in Hillsborough)."

Roper said the expansion in Hillsborough would be 68 beds with an ER, imaging facility and other support activities. He said construction will take several years and expects it to be in operation by 2013.

Commissioner Alice Gordon asked if there would be a lot of interaction between the main hospital and the Hillsborough location and how transportation would be provided. Roper said he expects there to be much interaction between the two locations, which are about 15 minutes apart, and there would be a shuttle service for people to go back and forth.

Some commissioners expressed their support for the project.

"It's very exciting and I'm happy for citizens on the northern side of the county to have easier access to health care," said Commissioner Pam Hemminger.

Commissioner Mike Nelson agreed and said there is also great potential for the county to work on economic development surrounding the hospital, like building hotels and restaurants for people who are visiting.