SPRINGFIELD, Or. - Construction crews in Springfield aren't wasting any time on the next big project.  The new Justice Center is open and right next door will be a new city jail.

You've seen the video and the past stories on the revolving door for inmates at the Lane County Jail.  In Springfield, police hope to make a dent in that problem and cut crime.  Officials say it looks like it will happen ahead of schedule.

The days are numbered for the old Springfield Police station and the museum piece, called the city jail.

"It was this way when I came here in 1970; yeah, it's been around for a long time," says Chief Jerry Smith.

Next door to the just completed Justice Center will rise a new 100 bed city jail, and the police chief can't wait.

Smith jokes, "Oh yeah, I'd like to see the jail up and running tomorrow. That's not going to happen."  However, it'll be here much sooner than expected. Hyland Construction finished the Justice Center well ahead of schedule. For the new jail, the chief says, "He (the contractor) wants to have this thing done by September."

That's September, 2009.   2010 had been the target date for the jail.  Smith says he's convinced the new jail will really make a difference.  He tells KVAL, "I believe the crime rate is going to drop. We're going to be able to have a positive impact on crime in Springfield because of the jail."

Two words describe the next phase of construction: fast track. It's really on a quick schedule.   Jerry Smith says asbestos abatement from the old police center will take up the next week or two, then construction begins within a month.

People we talked to around town are anxious to see the results.  Resident Anne Sheridan says, "To be able to help the community feel safer and to get rehabilitation for these people is absolutely imperative."

"Springfield will have control of it and I think that will be a good idea," says Ervin McNeil.

Terrina Wrona says it remains to be seen if the new jail will cut crime very much in Springfield, but she has another idea.  "I would like criminals to go to work and pay for their room and board.  That would be the best idea," states Wrona.

The chief says well over $1 million a year is wasted in police resources on Springfield area defendants who fail to appear in court, costs that should be reduced with the new jail. 

Voters approved the dual projects with a 2004 bond issue.