Bulldozers began moving dirt shortly after a June 21 groundbreaking to start construction of the Queen of Terre Haute Resort Casino on the city’s east side.

Churchill Downs Inc.’s $260 million project, up from an initial $240 million, is to include a casino with 1,000 slot machines and 50 table games, as well as a 10-story hotel featuring 125 luxury guestrooms with a rooftop pool, as well as a TwinSpires Sportsbook and several food & beverage offerings.

The construction project encountered some initial issues, including the need to add rock to the building site, 50 acres of land off East Margaret Drive.

“We knew about the soil conditions before we purchased the land. Soil in that part of Terre Haute holds a lot of water and can turn quickly to mud,” said Ryan Jordan, senior vice president of real estate development for Churchill Downs.