SAN ANTONIO — Construction crews are preparing to get to work on San Antonio's new federal courthouse.

The U.S. General Services Administration awarded a contract Wednesday to build the $117 million facility. Construction is set to start in the spring of next year.  

The new Western District of Texas courthouse will replace the current John H. Wood, Jr building. Local, state, and federal lawmakers have been working for years to replace the facility.

They say the current building lacks a protected perimeter, tests positive for high levels of lead and iron contamination in its water and is missing proper heating and air conditioning controls.

The new building will be located at downtown at the corner of Santa Rosa and Nueva.