​The long-awaited expansion of Dartmouth General Hospital took a big step forward today with the first tender issued for construction.

"The tender is for site services, excavation, underground services, foundations and structural concrete for the new addition and a new emergency generator building," the Nova Scotia Health Authority said in a release.

"It also includes renovation of the loading dock area, elevators for the new addition and relocation of the bulk oxygen storage tanks."

The work will make space for 48 beds and double the number of operating rooms on the hospital's fifth floor from four to eight. There will also be upgrades to outpatient and diagnostic imaging areas.

Construction to start in May

More tenders are expected later this year.

Construction will begin in May, but some work has already started in preparation.

The cost of the entire project is estimated at between $132 million and $138 million.

The work is part of the larger QEII redevelopment, which includes projects at the Halifax Infirmary, Hants Community Hospital and other sites. The Centennial and Victoria buildings in Halifax will close.