In a sense, they are like groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings for anything else. They are predictable. They are most interesting for who’s there.

But the Rex Healthcare groundbreaking last week is one of critical importance for eastern Wake County.

If plans hold true, it will be the first of three such groundbreakings in eastern Wake County in the coming months. WakeMed and Duke Raleigh Hospital join Rex in plans for developing hospital facilities in eastern Wake County.

Not since Eastern Wake Hospital in Zebulon shut its doors has this part of Wake County been well-served in terms of its healthcare needs.

And, as Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen pointed out, the population of the three eastern Wake County towns is made up largely of just the kind of people likely to use a hospital emergency room — families with young children and the elderly.

And as this part of Wake County continues to grow at a rapid pace, improved healthcare facilities make it a much better, and safer, place to live. Roads and rooftops attracted the three hospitals to eastern Wake County.

As rooftops continue to multiply, it will be even more important that county leaders work to ensure all the needed infrastructure is in place. Road improvements must continue. Schools must be built and senior centers should be a high priority.

In the meantime, we celebrate the first of what we hope will be many groundbreakings as Rex begins its foray into eastern Wake County.

Hang on to those hardhats and silver-plated shovels. There’s more to come.