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FORT MADISON, IOWA (AP) -- Gov. Chet Culver says he has made orders for construction to begin on a new Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.

Culver said Monday he has directed the Department of Administrative Services to sign a contract to start construction.

Culver says it is important to keep the project on schedule. He says he told the department to "please proceed as promptly as responsible to execute this contract."

The governor's office says the lowest responsible bidder was the Walsh Group of Illinois. Culver says he's also asked for a labor hall to be opened near the site so Iowans can quickly apply for construction jobs.  Athorities say two appeals are pending against the project but neither petitioned for a stay pending review. The contract would be terminated if an appeal is successful.

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