A new 500-cell prison near Frackville in Schuylkill County took a giant step toward reality when state officials of the state prison system announced yesterday a contract for site preparation for the prison will be awarded April 3.

The work on construction of the new facility is scheduled for completion in September, 1986.

The new prison is part of the state’s six-year, $158.5-million expansion and renovation of its existing system.

The local prison will be built near the intersection of Interstate 81 and Route. 61 in Ryan Township.