BANGOR – Work is expected to begin on the $37 million Penobscot County Judicial Center in late summer or early fall, Maine’s chief justice said.

The courthouse, to be completed by late 2009, is designed to ease the crowding of state courts and county offices in the existing Penobscot County Courthouse and neighboring District Court building off Hammond Street.

The new building will be 90,000 square feet.

It will face Exchange Street, with Hancock Street on the west side of the lot and Washington Street on the east. The back of the building will overlook the Kenduskeag Stream.

In an interview Thursday during celebrations marking the swearing-in of a new state supreme court justice, Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley said she expects that the budget for the judiciary appears to be completed and she does not expect cutbacks to affect the delivery of justice around the state.

Saufley also said that it appears some of her request for 10 entry screeners would be included in the second year of the biennial budget. The chief justice requested $2.1 million for 20 entry security screening positions in 2008 and 20 more positions in 2009.