Greeley, Colorado-based construction powerhouse, Hensel Phelps, has secured a substantial contract valued between $1.8 billion and $3 billion to serve as the construction management/general contractor for Oak Ridge National Laboratory's second target station project. The Department of Energy's Office of Science awarded the contract, as announced in a June 26 press release.

This eight-year endeavor will expand the neutron capabilities of the existing first target station, enabling groundbreaking research across the physical and biological sciences. Hensel Phelps anticipates the involvement of over 30 trade subcontractors and a peak workforce of more than 350 tradespeople during the project's lifecycle.

The facility is being designed to adhere to the stringent DOE High Performance Sustainable Building Guiding Principles, emphasizing integrated design, energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, material sustainability, and building resilience. The Hensel Phelps scope encompasses both preconstruction and construction phases, with the company currently immersed in design reviews, market analysis, value engineering, and master project scheduling.

This significant project arrives amidst a period of leadership transition for Hensel Phelps. Brad Jeanneret assumed the role of president and COO on January 8th of this year.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory project exemplifies the construction industry's increasing involvement in complex, high-stakes projects with far-reaching societal implications. The project's emphasis on sustainability and advanced design principles underscores the evolving role of construction in creating resilient and environmentally responsible infrastructure.

Moreover, the project's scale and duration highlight the importance of effective project management and risk mitigation strategies. Successful execution requires a deep understanding of complex systems, collaboration among multiple stakeholders, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges