The expansion and restoration of the Idaho Capitol building is “on time and on budget,” Rep. Stephen Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning.

The project’s price tag is slightly more than $120 million, “some $10 million less than the original bonding authority,” Hartgen said.

Hartgen, acting chair of the Idaho Capitol Commission, showed off a wood bowl crafted from an original Ash tree removed from the statehouse grounds to make room for the expansion. About 50 artisans from around the state are crafting desks, chairs and other items for the building all made from trees removed from the Capitol grounds.

The expansion added two 25,000-square-foot underground wings new meeting rooms, offices, public arcades and hearing rooms.

“Walls are being painted and carpet is on the way,” Hartgen said. “House desks arrive today. Marble is installed on the fourth floor and lighting is being installed.”

Hartgen said the Capitol Commission is looking at a Nov. 19 turnover date to give the building back to lawmakers and staff.

That date “will give us approximately a month and a half to get everything ready for the 2010 session,” he said.