JACKMAN (AP) – A Manchester, N.H., contractor has been awarded a federal contract totaling nearly $26 million to build a new border checkpoint near Jackman.

The U.S. General Services Administration says J.C.N. Construction Co. will begin work in March at the port of entry along U.S. 201, the main route between Augusta and Quebec City.

Officials say the existing facility is antiquated and ill equipped to handle the increased volume of traffic. The project includes a new port building, commercial warehouse, truck inspection building and garage.

This is the second such contract awarded in Maine in the past three weeks. A contract for a port of entry in Calais was awarded in late December.

AP-ES-01-15-08 1734EST