The final steel beam placed in the new UPMC Presbyterian Hospital

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Work on Pennsylvania’s largest health care construction project reached a turning point on Tuesday.

There is still much work to be done on the largest hospital in Pittsburgh’s history, but UPMC celebrates each important step in the process.

The health care network on Tuesday “topped off” construction of the new UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Oakland with a ceremony at the Oaklander Hotel. Crews placed the final steel beam atop the structure, marking a milestone in the $1.5 billion project.

“Hundreds of traders visit this place every day. We honor them, honor them and thank them for their hard work,” said hospital President Sandy Rader.

Workers used a crane to lift the beam into place, completing the 17-story, 900,000-square-foot structure. As was customary, an American flag hung from the structure, and a broom and a tree were placed on the beam, signifying that the structure had reached its highest point without loss of life and wishing future residents good luck.

“Being able to take a minute to reflect on the progress we’ve made is important for team morale,” said Mike Schesler, director of construction at UPMC.

“It’s easy for a community to forget and lose steam as we deal with disruptions in the city and on the streets, so we like to celebrate all of these milestones,” said Kelly Noel, UPMC vice president of construction, real estate and facilities.

The next step is to finish the exterior of the building with energy-saving glass so that work can begin on the inside.

“All the walls, the floors, and then the final finishes, which is the carpet, the floor coverings, the art and all that,” Noel said.

In 2022, crews broke ground on the facility, which will house more than 600 private patient rooms and provide medical and surgical services, including transplants, cardiac, vascular and neurological care, all using advanced technology.

However, the project was not without some problems. In June last year the city of Pittsburgh issued a stop-work order. A city spokesman said at the time that UPMC did not have the required building permits for the work and had to obtain them before resuming.

The healthcare network has moved forward and is now on track to build a state-of-the-art hospital that will serve not only patients but also other community members living in the lifestyle village.

“Building better, better community interest, better health care in our region and beyond,” Rader said.

UPMC is expected to complete construction by the end of 2026 and begin accepting patients in early 2027.