BELLEVILLE, IL. – Contegra Construction Co. is advancing a new laboratory facility for the Illinois State Police and other law-enforcement agencies in southwest Illinois that will more than quadruple the space dedicated in the region to crime-solving forensic science technology.

The two-story, 64,100-square-foot building is taking shape on a 2.3-acre site at the intersection of 23rd St. and West Main St. in downtown Belleville. It carries a completion value of $37.8 million. When operational, it will serve 154 police agencies in a contiguous eight-county area in Illinois.

The building will include more than 40,000 square feet of lab space hosting best-in-class research infrastructure and equipment for crime scene services, trace chemistry, drug chemistry, polygraph, latent prints, firearms and forensic biology/DNA testing.

Contegra Construction is scheduled to complete work on the $37.8 million Illinois State Police Metro-East Forensic Science Laboratory in Belleville, Ill. in mid-2013. Contegra Construction Co.

The facility also includes training rooms where specialists will learn how to operate new scientific equipment;, a shooting range to analyze firearm ballistics; two vehicle exam bays; a water tank; firearms lab; and various specialized vaults for evidence storage.

The new lab is being built to accommodate current and projected growth in casework and staffing stemming from increased demand for DNA analysis and other specialized testing of crime scene evidence. It will replace 15,000 square feet of antiquated forensic science space the law enforcement agency currently leases in Fairview Heights, Ill. and is being funded by the state’s Illinois Jobs Now! Capital Development Board.

“The design and equipment specification of every lab is unique and specific to its use, which makes thorough pre-planning and precise execution imperative for the installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and fixtures,” notes Angela Ridgway, Contegra project manager. “Security and access control systems are equally sophisticated and complex. Given its critical mission, electrical power disruption is not an option so the building is supported with back-up power supplied by diesel fuel powered generators.”

On-site parking is provided for 109 vehicles.

Joining prime contractor Contegra on the project team are Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.; Fairview Heights, Ill. electrical; Amsco Mechanical, Inc., Granite City, Ill., mechanical and plumbing; and Bi-State Fire Protection Corp., fire protection.

Contegra’s portion of the contract is $25.8 million.