Construction giant Hensel Phelps, headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, has secured a significant contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Second Target Station (STS) project. The project, valued between $1.8 billion and $3 billion, involves the construction of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) Second Target Station in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

This new facility is a critical piece of scientific infrastructure, designed to greatly improve the neutron research capabilities of ORNL’s existing first target station. This expansion is expected to pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries across a wide range of scientific fields within the physical and biological sciences.

ORNL is expanding its Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) with a second target station to enable transformative new neutron capabilities that will accelerate scientific discovery and address future societal concerns. 

The sustainable construction process promises to be a collaborative effort. Hensel Phelps anticipates working with over 30 specialized trade subcontractors, with a peak workforce of approximately 350 skilled tradespeople during the most intensive phase of construction. This eight-year endeavor will require meticulous planning and execution.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project. The facility will be constructed in accordance with the DOE’s High Performance Sustainable Building Guiding Principles. These principles emphasize a comprehensive approach to construction, focusing on:

• Integrated Design: Encouraging seamless collaboration between various design disciplines throughout the project lifecycle.
• Energy Efficiency: Optimizing building systems to minimize energy consumption and promote environmental responsibility.
• Water Conservation: Implementing strategies to reduce water usage and protect this valuable resource.
• Indoor Environmental Quality: Creating a healthy and comfortable work environment for the facility’s occupants.
• Sustainable Materials: Selecting building materials with minimal environmental impact, and choosing recycled or renewable resources whenever possible.
• Building Resilience: Designing and constructing the facility to withstand potential environmental challenges.

Currently, Hensel Phelps is in the preconstruction phase. This critical stage involves in-depth reviews of the facility’s design, thorough market analysis to identify optimal construction solutions, value engineering to ensure cost-effectiveness, and the development of a comprehensive master schedule for the entire construction process.

Interestingly, this major contract award comes amidst a period of significant leadership changes for Hensel Phelps. On January 8, 2024, the company appointed Brad Jeanneret as its new president and COO. Despite these internal transitions, Hensel Phelps remains confident in its ability to deliver this complex scientific facility on time and within budget.

This project speaks of the complexity involved in building major scientific facilities. From thorough design reviews to making sure a skilled workforce is in place, these undertakings require extensive planning and collaboration. The successful completion of such projects ultimately contributes to advancements in scientific research, potentially impacting our everyday lives in ways few can imagine.