Harrah's Illinois Construction to Begin

METROPOLIS, Illinois -- Construction is expected to begin next week on Harrah's Metropolis Casino's $62 million hotel and entertainment complex, officials said.

Harrah's spokeswoman Robyn Ryan said Tuesday that a 100-foot crane should be at least partly assembled by the end of the week.

"We've got all the pieces and parts sitting in the parking lot," she said. "It's going to be at least seven stories tall because that's how tall the hotel will be."

The project in southern Illinois was on hold for months until Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed a new five-member Illinois Gaming Board in March. The board approved the casino's hotel and entertainment complex plans on March 30 -- its first major action since resignations left it one member short of a quorum in August.

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