PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN

The first batch of structural steel has arrived at the new Dunedin hospital inpatient building site.

Sections of massive steel joists were attached to their piles via seismic base isolators yesterday as work increases on the site.

It is the latest sign of progress for the nearly $2 billion project after the arrival of cranes last week, and the delivery of equipment to the outpatient building site earlier this week.

The outpatient building should be completed by October, while the inpatient building is scheduled to be completed in 2031.