BELOIT, Wis. -- Beloit Memorial Hospital is nearing the opening of its new $11.6 million emergency room.

The ER will see its first patient July 9. The new emergency room is one of three phases that will expand the ER from 15 rooms to 27.

More than 36,000 patients are expected to pass through Beloit Memorial's ER this year.

"We'll be able to staff various departments and have more rooms an operations at the peak times," said Tim McKevett, senior vice president of Beloit Memorial. "But then for efficiency and economy's sake, to keep health care costs down, we'll be able to operate out of this main pod, which is phase one of the department."

The new wing was designed using suggestions from staff, so it's easier to manage.

The third and final phase of the project is expected to be complete next summer.