A new, state-of-the-art courthouse will soon serve up justice in the Bronx.

The East 161st Street building, which covers two city blocks, houses 47 courtrooms, office space and a jail. The city broke ground on the courthouse, which has blast-resistant windows and is equipped with video technology, five years ago. Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R-NYC) says it will help improve residents? access to justice once it opens in January. The new courthouse will handle all criminal cases, freeing up the older courthouse for civil and family cases.

Many Bronx residents and business owners welcome the courthouse, saying it will boost the area?s economic standing. However, others feel it will cause traffic to increase.