Community leaders gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Shasta County Courthouse in Redding today.

Ground actually broke back in December, but today's ceremony shed new light on what can be expected when the work is done.

The $170 million project has been more than a decade in the making.

Speakers said the new courthouse will provide more space to accommodate more people, more efficiently.

“This building when complete will update this branch of government and the ability in Shasta County to expand services and shorten the time in which they are delivered, thereby providing more time for the judiciary to engage in the most important thing, each person's individual case,” presiding judge Dan Flynn said.

Once complete, the building will house 14 courtrooms with the ability to expand to 16.

It will also include new technology to help people find where they need to go more quickly as well as giving access to language and interpreting services.

Once completed, the old courthouse could provide additional space for much-needed beds for the jail.