The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected construction giant Hensel Phelps to spearhead a multi-billion dollar upgrade project at the prestigious Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee. This significant investment aims to propel the lab to the forefront of scientific research with the construction of a second target station for its Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).

While the exact contract value remains undisclosed, the DOE estimates the entire project will cost between US$1.8 billion and US$3 billion.

Hensel Phelps will serve as both construction manager and general contractor, overseeing the preconstruction and construction phases. This crucial preconstruction phase, currently underway, involves meticulous design reviews, market analysis, value engineering, and the development of a comprehensive project schedule.

The project signifies a substantial boost for skilled labor in the region. Hensel Phelps anticipates the need for over 30 specialized subcontracting firms and a workforce exceeding 350 tradespeople during the peak construction period, expected to last for the next eight years.

This ambitious timeline suggests the upgraded lab will be fully operational and ready to usher in a new era of scientific discovery by 2032.

Upgrading the Engine of Scientific Discovery

The centerpiece of the ORNL upgrade is the addition of a second target station to the existing SNS facility. This advanced addition will complement the lab's current capabilities, including the SNS First Target Station and the High Flux Isotope Reactor.

The DOE emphasizes that the new target station will be a game-changer for scientific research. By optimizing instrument design with cutting-edge neutron optics, a specially configured geometry for 15 Hz operation (significantly faster than current capabilities), and advanced detectors, the upgrade promises a dramatic leap in detection resolution – up to two orders of magnitude higher than what's currently achievable. This translates to groundbreaking research opportunities across various scientific disciplines.