Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) has broken ground on a $105 million Health and Sciences Building.

The Alton Telegraph reports that the project, which is set to be completed by summer 2025, will seamlessly connect two existing facilities into one structure, weaving together the School of Nursing and the School of Pharmacy.

The 115,000-square-foot health science building will accommodate new classrooms, research laboratories, teaching laboratories, study areas, a nursing simulation laboratory, and administrative offices. The scope of work also calls for resurfacing two existing parking lots, connecting sidewalks, and improving site circulation around the complex.

“With today’s groundbreaking at SIUE, we usher in a new era for Southern Illinois and its world-class university – with greater access to quality education and first-rate healthcare,” said Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker.

The Illinois Capital Development Board will oversee the design and construction of the facility. The architects are Lamar Johnson Collaborative and Christner, and the design-build firm is Clayco + PoetkkerJV.