The State of Maryland (US) is finally about to tackle the long awaited renovation of the Howard County's Circuit Courthouse.

The project to be undertaken under the P3 scheme, aims to solve the lack of space in the current facilities which have reached a breaking point. The project also seeks to improve security in the courthouse separating prisoners, victims, judges and jurors.

Authorities have been mulling over this project for more than a decade. The last renovation of the courthouse was 30 years ago and in that time, the number of cases filed has jumped by 225 percent.

Previous attempts of carry out the revamp of the aging courthouse have always failed. This was, in part, because of the large budget needed to develop the project. According to sources, the estimated investment for the P3 courthouse project stands at US$128 million.

Jim Irvin, director of the county's Department of Works, said:

"We're sitting on the edge of stuff in terms of state requirements."

"Everybody agrees we need a new courthouse. Nobody agrees on how you pay for it."