The Maryland State Board of Public Works yesterday approved a $1.45 million design and construction contract for renovation and expansion of the emergency room at Carroll County General Hospital.

The state is assisting with a $700,000 grant that was approved by the 1993 General Assembly. The contract was awarded to McDevitt Street Bovis Inc. of Gaithersburg. Construction began in March and is expected to be completed in 1995.

"This project will allow Carroll County General to help more emergency room patients," said Gov. William Donald Schaefer, chairman of the Board of Public Works.

The hospital's emergency room will be expanded to 9,700 square feet from 5,800 square feet to provide additional patient support rooms.