Excavation for the basement of the new $95 million Henry Madden Library is nearing completion at California State University, Fresno.

Trucks have been hauling dirt away from the site at the heart of the academic campus since Oct. 31, and should be finished on Dec. 1.

Construction then will begin on the new 243,000-square-foot building. The library project includes renovation of the existing 91,416-square-foot south wing and connecting the two buildings.

When complete, the 335,316-square-foot, four-story structure will be the largest academic building on the Fresno State campus and the largest California State University library.

Funds for construction were provided by the Proposition 55 bond measure passed by California voters in 2004. Funding for furnishings and equipment was approved by voters Nov. 7 with passage of another state bond measure, Proposition 1-D.

Architects are A.C. Martin Partners Inc. in association with Hillier Architecture. The builder is Swinerton Builders.

Related link, which includes live Webcam: www.maddenlibrary.org