A few hundred people watched from Market Street in downtown Roanoke as the last steel I-beam was bolted into place at the new Art Museum of Western Virginia.

Steelworkers guided the 1,500-pound beam into place shortly before 11 a.m., following several speeches from local and state officials, including Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris and Virginia Secretary of Education Thomas Morris. Work continued on the museum walls, roof and interior. The target opening date is November 2008.