St. Luke's University Health Network on Tuesday placed the first steel column in what will become the Network's seventh hospital.

St. Luke's Monroe Campus is the first hospital to be constructed in Monroe County in 100 years.The American-made steel for the new facility was fabricated into columns, joist and decking by Levan Associates Inc. in Emmaus.When completed, the project will use 1,052 tons of steel beams, 28 tons of joist and 175 tons of deck material.The last piece of steel is expected to be placed in early October as part of a "topping off ceremony" which will include network and other dignitaries.The celebration of placing the last and highest beam is steeped in Ironworkers' tradition and may date back to the Vikings and possibly earlier.St. Luke's Monroe Campus, which will open in the fall of 2016, is being constructed on a 41-acre parcel of land located on Route 611 in Bartonsville, close to the Route 33 and Interstate 80 interchange.The first phase of the new campus includes a four-story, 180,000 square foot acute care hospital with a large and full-service emergency room, surgical services and spacious private patient rooms with home-like features, hotel-style amenities and beautiful views.The new hospital will add more than 350 permanent jobs to the local economy.At least 250 workers will be involved in the hospital's construction.