MADISON, Wis. — UW Health Thursday approved additions to the University Hospital and the East Madison Hospital.

The move is intended to boost surgical, emergency and inpatient capacity at both hospitals.

Chief Operating Officer of UW Health Dr. Peter Newcomer said it’s all a part of UW Health’s greater expansion plans to meet a growing demand for hospital services.

“We have an opportunity to meet the needs of these patients, but to do that, we need to grow,” Newcomer said in a release. “This growth will also allow us to continue to serve our current patients more effectively as this exciting work will improve the flow through our health system for all patients.”

At the University Hospital, one project will add a six-story structure, complete with 22 emergency rooms, 22 flexible car beds and 48 inpatient rooms. Officials said this space will be located between the UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building and University Hospital.

Meanwhile, the project at East Madison Hospital will add six operating rooms, 40 recovery rooms, 20 rooms for post-anesthesia care, 14 flexible care rooms, 20 emergency department rooms and four rooms to be shared between emergency and medical imaging.

Local population growth, an aging population and capacity challenges across hospitals are some of the reasons for the increased patient demand at UW Health.

“Whether it’s our emergency rooms, our operating rooms, our hospitals or our outpatient care facilities, they are all very busy today with the challenge of thousands of new patients on the horizon,” he said. “Through expansions such as those announced today and the 2024 opening of our Eastpark Medical Center, we are excited to meet that challenge.”

Construction cost for the expansion project is estimated to be around $180 million to $220 million. The UW Health board of directors on Thursday approved up to $310 million to be used for the costs.

Officials said pending approvals, they expect both projects to be completed sometime in 2026.