After several years of planning, the state has awarded a $140 million building contract for a new 144-bed psychiatric facility at the troubled Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe.

Hensel Phelps Construction Co., based in Colorado, won the contract for the building on about five acres that will have 24-hour security.

“Our community has needed a new forensic mental health facility for years, and we are accelerating its design and construction. I’m pleased to be moving ahead with a project that will help some of our most vulnerable community members,” Gov. David Ige said in a news release.

Lawmakers granted the state Department of Health, which oversees the hospital, $160.5 million for the project.