EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (WICS) — Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) state officials gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate a significant construction milestone.

A “final pour” ceremony marked the last structural concrete pour on the new $105 million health science building at the SIUE campus.

During the event, attendees toured the 176,000 square foot building that will accommodate the School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing, and signed concrete columns that will be hidden within the walls of the building.

The scope of work involves constructing a three-story health science building that includes new academic classrooms, teaching and simulation laboratories, and administrative offices. Additionally, site circulation will be improved around the complex, two parking lots will be resurfaced, and several sidewalks will be connected for the campus community.

The joint venture project team from Clayco + Poettker, in collaboration with the design firms Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Inc. and Christner, Inc, mobilized on site in spring 2023. The cohesive partnership has remained on schedule, with the health science center approaching 45% completion. The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) is overseeing the project’s design and construction in accordance with the protocol for state-appropriated projects.

Over the past 12 months, more than 8,000 cubic yards of concrete and 905 tons of rebar have been used during construction. Approximately 70 trades men and women are working at the project site each week, recording over 60,000 hours on the job. Substantial completion is expected in spring 2025.