Construction moving to a new phase at the $20 billion Intel site in New Albany.

Construction of Intel's two plants in New Albany is entering a new phase with the semiconductor company saying that it expects to begin pouring concrete this month for the foundation for the $20 billion project called Ohio One.

“Intel is proud of the progress we’re making in Ohio and we’re excited to move into this next phase of construction," the company said in a statement. "Being a good neighbor to the New Albany and surrounding communities, who have welcomed us so warmly, is a top priority for Intel. As Ohio One progresses, we will be transparent and remain in close contact with the community, local government, and partners at all times.”

Intel has hired engineering and construction giant Bechtel to build the factories.

Concrete is made on site. Intel says the work may mean additional truck traffic along Beech Road and Jug Street in the area of the plant with dump trucks bringing aggregate and other material to the site as work on the foundation ramps up.

This year so far, focus of the construction has been mostly focused on the underground utility work at the site along with water and sewer lines in the area, said Mike Knisley, secretary-treasurer of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council.

Now construction is shifting to the inside of the perimeter where the plants are being built, he said.

Concrete work likely will continue throughout the summer to get the foundation in place, he said.

"It's been slow but steady," he said.

Once the foundation is in place, walls for the factories will start to go up, he said.

Meanwhile, the number of construction workers on the site continues to gradually grow.

Knisley said he expects several hundred workers on site by the end of the year and that for employment on the site to top 1,000 beginning in 2024.

Intel has said it expects 5,000 to 7,000 construction workers to eventually be on the site.

Knisley said construction remains on target with construction to be completed in 2025.

"We're still comfortable with the owner," he said. "We're still comfortable with the project. Management has not let off the gas."

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Work so far at the Intel has focused on underground utilities