The $75 million new Hamilton Police Station and Magistrates' Court will open in two-and-a-half years.

Minister of Works and Engineering Dennis Lister announced yesterday that the Government had signed a contract with Landmark Lisgar Construction Company to build the 106,000 square feet buildings on the corner of Church Street.

Mr. Lister explained that the Construction manager had given a guaranteed maximum sum and would receive a bonus if they deliver the project for less than $75 million. Mr. Lister was asked if the Government should be signing contracts as a caretaker government in the run up to an election. He said: "We're still the Government.

"This contract was awarded before the election was called since then we have been sorting out the details."