Construction is 75% complete on a new $170 million kiln line that produces clinker, the main raw material used in cement making, according to Industrial Information Resources, a Houston-based industry researcher. Also nearing completion is a $60 million limestone quarry expansion.

The expansion program will increase annual capacity to 1.5 million tons from 770,000 tons. Two existing kilns will be shut down and salvaged when the new line is operating in first quarter 2002, Information Resources reports.

Lafarge Corp. bought an undisclosed number of cement and lime production plants in September from Blue Circle Industries of Great Britain in an all-cash $3.8 billion deal. Other plants are in Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma and New York.