Final steel beam in place at UCLan’s £30m Engineering Innovation Centre

Construction of the new Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has reached a fresh milestone.

The last beam in 630 tonnes of steel is now in place at the £30m scheme, with new timelapse footage captured over seven weeks showcasing the progress made on site.

Building firm BAM Construction, the project’s main contractor, is now installing 150 lorry loads of pre-cast floor planks.

The largest of the planks are 450mm thick and weigh 11 tonnes.

UCLan’s chief operating officer, Michael Ahern, said: “It’s exciting to see the building taking shape before our very eyes, and the timelapse footage only highlights the scale and magnitude of this project.

“The EIC will be a real asset to the University and the region, bringing enormous educational and economic benefits now and for generations to come.”

He added: “As an organisation dedicated to driving improvements to the community as well as our students, we are committed to delivering a first-class facility which Preston can be proud of.”

The EIC is part of UCLan’s £200m Masterplan development.