Construction on GM’s new battery plant near New Carlisle is ahead of schedule and starting to rise.

St. Joseph County leaders say steel structures are now going up along State Road 2, and the site is expected to take shape through the summer.

Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol says around 3,500 to 4,000 construction workers will be needed for the GM and nearby AWS sites.

Once the plant is fully running, it’s expected to create about 1,700 jobs.