BENTON, IL — Demolition work is set to begin soon on the old Franklin County Courthouse in Benton.

Franklin County Board Chairman Randall Crocker says the asbestos abatement project at the courthouse is being completed, signed off on and approved with demolition possibly starting within the next week or so.

Shafer Excavating of Pontoon Beach, Illinois was the low bidder for the demolition project when it was approved by the County Board on June 22. According to the bid, Shafer is expected to have the work completed in eight days with a tentative start time in mid-July.

Once demolition is done, all contract negotiations on the construction of the new courthouse will be done in August with construction slated to begin September 1. Construction is set to be finished by late December of next year.