A state trooper talks to workers Tuesday at the site of a new barracks under construction in the city of Dunkirk. Photo by M.J. Stafford

DUNKIRK — Site work is underway on a new barracks for the New York State Police in the city of Dunkirk.

Earth movers were smoothing out the ground Tuesday on the state-owned 11-acre parcel, located on Main Street Extension near its intersection with Greco Lane. The site is next to the Porter Manor Apartments.

Capt. Eric Balon of the state police said he visited the site Tuesday to chat with construction workers. “They’re saying by the end of October, they should have the foundation in,” he said.

As for the completion date for the roughly 5,000-square foot barracks, “they’re estimating sometime next summer,” he said.

If everything goes according to plan, the shell of the building will be up by the time the snow season starts, with interior work happening over the winter, he added.

The work is getting done by employees of the state Office of General Services.

Balon said the barracks is from a “cookie cutter” design. “It’s very similar to the office in Collins, minus the basement. This will be on a slab,” he said.

The state police are moving from their current barracks on Route 60 in Fredonia because the building is dated and aging. The new barracks will offer technology upgrades and more space.

Balon mentioned that he would like to see an access driveway from Central Avenue to the new barracks. “It would be beneficial to us,” he said.

However, it’s unclear if that will get built. Balon said he and other state police officials wanted to see how things were going with the current construction before pursuing that possibility.