Some highlights of the Conventional Facilities works planned for 2017:
- Superstructure for the E-buildings is scheduled to start this spring, once the bottom slab is completed.
- The Central Utility Building (H01) will be equipped with floors and facades.
- Topfill of the Accelerator tunnel (G01) will be completed and the external link element and roof membrane for the sedum roof on the slope and Gallery Building (G02) will commence late spring.
- Excavation for two new utility buildings, the Sprinkler Building (H10) and the Waste Building (H09), is scheduled for March and August, respectively.
- Full access to the Accelerator tunnel (G01), Cryo-Compressor Building (G04) and the Front End Building in May for technical installations.
- Plenty of activity in the Target area.
The Monolith Puck rising inside the Target Station. PHOTOS: ESS
Beamline gallery foundations during week 50. PHOTO: ESS
Week 49 — 05 December 2016
Recent aerial photography of some of the major work areas is shown below. These photos were taken on 22 November 2016. Click on each one to view in greater detail. An aerial view of the entire site on this day is available
here.
Visible are the dogleg area of the Accelerator tunnel emerging from the ground, the Target Monolith area where base slab casting is taking place, and the Active Cells area with red ground covering. PHOTO: Perry Nordeng/ESS
The 8,000-square-metre beamline gallery fanning out from the Target Station, and the foundation works for the 150-metre-distant instrument hall and labs. PHOTO: Perry Nordeng/ESS
The Gallery Building (far left), the Cryo-Compressor Building (center front), and the large Central Utility Building (center rear). The small building to the far right is a completed power station. PHOTO: Perry Nordeng/ESS
Week 48 — 28 November 2016
Progress was made on the installation of ESS-Bilbao’s specially engineered Tuning Beam Dump shielding blocks. The installation is being done by contractor BMS, supervised by the ESS Target Division, and should finish before the holiday break. The
Gallery Building (G02) was a hive of MEP works covering 90 percent of the building complex. Facade works moved toward completion on the
Cryo-Compressor Building (G04), as did construction of the “Dog Shed” in the outdoor gas storage area. Foundation works continue in the
Beam Line Gallery (E02), with six of 22 base slabs now cast for this 8,000-square-metre floor. And in the
Target area (D02) reinforcement of the fifth and final section of the massive base slab for the Target Monolith continued. It was two years ago this week that the first concrete was cast on the site, a base slab for the Accelerator tunnel. The tunnel was completed in April 2016, 455 castings later.

The view from the Accelerator tunnel dogleg, where the installation of the beam dump shielding blocks is being performed with a crane. In the background is the orange-capped rebar outline of the Monolith "puck" and beyond that the Active Cells area. PHOTO: ESS
Video of tuning beam dump shielding blocks installation in progress last week. VIDEO: ESS
A portion of the labyrinth of installation tunnels and utility spaces taking shape beneath the Target Station. PHOTO: ESS
Site workers move into position one morning last week. PHOTO: ESS WEBCAM
Week 47 — 21 November 2016
The fourth of the five castings for the 1.6-metre-thick Monolith base slab was completed, requiring two cranes placing 280 cubic metres of concrete. In the adjacent Active Cells area the left-in-place formwork has been completed, setting the stage for further concrete works in the
Target Station (D02). Foundation work for the
Beam Line Gallery (E02) and associated lab buildings has progressed with more concrete cast in that area. The overhead cranes in the
Gallery Building (G02) were tested and MEP installations continue throughout the seven halls of the large structure. Structural earthworks continue across the length of the Accelerator tunnel and the facade is being installed on the
Cryo-Compressor Building (G04). Finally, commissioning of the overhead crane in the dogleg area was completed so that installation of
ESS-Bilbao’s Beam Dump shielding blocks was able to begin today.
Pouring of the fourth section of the Target Monolith base slab. PHOTO: ESS
Workers placing the shielding blocks for the Tuning Beam Dump. PHOTO: ESS
Tuning Beam Dump shielding block being hoisted into position near the end of the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Week 46 — 14 November 2016
The installation galleries for the
Target Station and Instrument Halls (D-buildings) reached 90 percent structural completion. These galleries are a series of tunnels that in total exceed the length of the Accelerator tunnel. Nearby, all of the walls have been cast for the
D4 lab buildings. The massive topfill and reinforcement of soil, clay and gravel along the southern flank of the
Accelerator tunnel (G01) continues at full force, rapidly giving shape to the facility. The extensive steel reinforcement of the Monolith base slab continues as does the installation of left-in-place structural formwork in the adjacent Active Cells area
(D02). The many various interior works for the
Gallery Building (G02) continue, with all floors, facades and roofing completed. Two more base slabs have been cast in the large
Beamline Gallery (E02) extending 150 metres west from the Target.
The walls of the D04 labs adjacent to the Target Station in progress. PHOTO: ESS
Cranetop view of the western flank of the Target Station, including the 150-metre-length instrument hall. PHOTO: ESS
An animated sequence for the planned construction of the Target Building and Experimental Halls, from August 2016 through October 2019. SOURCE: Kajsa Pannwitz Sjöberg/Skanska
Week 45 — 7 November 2016
Work inside and outside the
Accelerator tunnel (G01) and
Gallery Building (G02) made significant progress. The soil topfill and construction of the reinforced slope that will define the exterior of the tunnel are in full swing, with completion expected before Christmas. All soil for this work is excavated directly from the site, including 120,000 cubic metres of clay. An additional 17,000 cubic metres of gravel is also required. Inside the tunnel an array of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works are in progress, including installation of compressed air lines, sprinklers, cabling and other systems. The Gallery Building saw its final floor slab cast and the completion of roofing works. A wide mix of MEP works also continues inside. The first bottom slab casting for the
Instrument Beam Line Gallery (E02) was cast this week, with extensive steel reinforcement and form works progressing in the
Target Monolith and Active Cells areas (D02). The reinforcement for the walls of the cylindrical Monolith can be clearly seen now on
site webcam #3.
One of the eight trucks delivering 200 specially engineered concrete shielding blocks from ESS-Bilbao. Part of their in-kind contribution to the Target sub-project. PHOTO: ESS
Crane view of the topfill and reinforced slope works taking place above the Accelerator tunnel. Left of the tunnel are the long Gallery Building and the Cryo-Compressor Building. PHOTO: ESS
Instrument Beamline Gallery taking shape (left) and the first signs of life in the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTOS: ESS
Week 44 — 31 October 2016
Commissioning of the overhead crane in the Dog Leg area of the
Accelerator tunnel (G01) began. The crane will be used in the installation of the eight trucks of Beam Dump shielding blocks scheduled to arrive on site this week from ESS Bilbao. Topfill over and around the Accelerator tunnel was moving at full speed in order to complete as much of this work as possible before the ground freezes. Finishing work is ongoing in the
Gallery Building’s (G02) Cryogenics Office, which will be one of the first occupied work spaces in the facility. The
Cryo-Compressor Building (G04) was prepared to give ESS partial access to the gas storage area this week. Foundation works continued both in the
Target area (D02, D04, D05) and the
Beam Line Gallery (E02), roof works are nearing completion on the
Central Utility Building (H01), and a new permanent road has received its first layer of asphalt, running between the Gallery Building and the Cryo-Compressor Building.

The crane rails (blue) protruding from the Dog Leg section of the Accelerator tunnel. These will be used for installation of the Beam Dump later this month. PHOTO: ESS
The exterior windows of the Cryogenics Office in the Gallery Building. Interior finishing is proceeding here for one of the first usable facility workspaces. PHOTO: ESS
The Central Utility Building work is moving forward, with roofing works expected to complete this month. PHOTO: ESS
Week 43 — 24 October 2016
The second of five castings for the 1.6-meter-thick Target Monolith base slab was completed. Backfill on the Target Station installation tunnels began and walls are being cast for
the D04 Lab Building. All pilings for the
Beam Line Gallery (E02) have been set and preparations are underway for casting the base slab for this large part of the facility. An overhead crane was installed at the Dog Leg area of the Accelerator tunnel to be used for Beam Dump installation, and backfill along the length of the tunnel continues. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing works continue in the
Gallery Building (G02) as well as the
Cryo-Compressor Building (G04), where facade works also are moving ahead. Finally, 20 kV of power has been turned on in the high-voltage substation buildings
H05 and H06, flowing underground from the Kraftringen power station.

Webcam image from October 31 shows Target Station work, Accelerator tunnel exit (with temporary green waterproofing), and the earthen slope taking shape over the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Week 42 — 17 October 2016
The interior of the
489-meter-long Gallery Building (G02) was buzzing with activity. As the building approaches structural completion, ongoing work includes installations for lighting, electrical grounding, and plumbing, and installations of doors, stairs, and cranes, along with floor finishing, and other finishing works including painting and dust binding. Outside the building, topfill is progressing at a rapid pace and has almost reached the roof level, with preparations begun to expand the slope, the facility’s characteristic landscape feature that will run the length of the Accelerator. Work continued on the
Accelerator tunnel (G01), with notable progress toward completion of the HEBT Loading Bay through which Accelerator components will be moved into the tunnel. In the Target area, work continues on the Monolith base slab and the last of the four tower cranes has been installed. These will remain in place for the remainder of the construction of the Target Station.
Tower cranes installed for the construction of the Target Station. PHOTO: ESS
Two views of the ongoing topfill and prep work to establish the sloped landscaping descending from the roof of the Gallery Building, over the Accelerator tunnel, to ground level. PHOTO: ESS
Week 41 — 10 October 2016
The first of five concrete castings for the massive 1.6-meter-deep Monolith base slab took place, consolidating 60 tons of steel reinforcement. Casting of the base slab for the
D04 lab building also progressed in the Target area. Concrete piling continues across the
8,000-square-meter instrument hall area (E Buildings) west of the Target. Several instrument beamline paths are already discernible. In the Accelerator Tunnel dog leg an overhead crane is under construction to be used for installation of the Beam Dump shielding blocks by ESS Partner ESS Bilbao. Also in the tunnel, the HEBT loading bay is undergoing roofing and interior work.
Piling for the instrument halls and labs west of the Target area. Slabs should be ready and building works underway in winter 2017. PHOTO: ESS
Where the Accelerator Tunnel meets the Target Station. Beam Dump installation will take place near the green waterproofing, and the Monolith base slab reinforcement can be seen at the far left. PHOTO: ESS
Week 40 — 3 October 2016
Preparations for technical installations to begin next month are underway. A crane is being installed in the Dog Leg area to prepare for the November installation of ESS Bilbao’s
Beam Dump shielding solution. Overhead cranes are also being installed in the
Gallery Building (G02) Cold Box and Loading Hall in advance of installations in those areas. Preparations to cast the Monolith base slab are nearly complete with the first casting expected this week. The hanging of the facade of the
Cryo-Compressor Building (G04) progressed, with work to establish piping and duct connections between the Cryo-Transfer Line and the Accelerator and Target areas advancing as well. And backfill along the
Accelerator Tunnel (G01) has moved to a more advanced stage with the reinforcement of the slope between the tunnel and the Gallery Building retaining wall.
Reinforcement of the Target Monolith base slab to be poured this month. PHOTO: ESS
Newly completed Gallery Building floor in section 7. PHOTO: ESS
Facade work on the Cryo-Compressor Building. PHOTO: ESS
Week 39 — 26 September 2016
A permanent crane assembly was installed in each of the two halls of the
Cryo-Compressor Building (G04). These cranes, mounted on rails near the ceiling, will be used for installations and future maintenance, and can operate throughout the full area of the building. The anticipated first casting of the massive Monolith base slab in the Target area has been delayed due to design changes, but the extensive reinforcement work continues. Topfill around the
Front End Building (FEB) has moved forward, obscuring even more of the completed facility beneath mounds of dirt. Preparations to cast the building’s retaining wall have come nearly to completion.
New crane installed in a hall of the Cryo-Compresson Building. PHOTO: ESS
Concrete reinforcement for the 1600 mm-thick base slab of the Target Monolith. PHOTO: ESS
Backfill at the Front End Building. PHOTO: ESS
The Last section of the retaining walls is cast for the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Prefab culvert between the Gallery building and the Cryo-Compressor Building is nearly complete. PHOTO: ESS
Ramp between the Experimental Halls is ready for casting. PHOTO: ESS
Week 25 — 20 June 2016
Refill continued in the Dog-Leg section and on top of the Accelerator tunnel (G01). Reinforcement work is ongoing for the drop hatch of the Front End Building (FEB). In the Gallery building (G02), steel and concrete works continue in section 6 and 8, and roof installation in section 5. For the Target building (D02), reinforcement work continues on the Monolith West base slab. Installation of the cryo culvert connecting the Gallery building and Cryo-Compressor Building (G04) is ongoing, while the bottom slab and walls are complete. The roof slabs, which will form a future removable walkway of the facility, are currently being placed. Facade work on the backside of G04 has also commenced.
Reinforcement work on the base slab of the Front End Building. PHOTO: ESS
Facade of the Cryo-Compressor Building. PHOTO: ESS
Reinforcement in Monolith West. PHOTO: ESS
Installation of removable walkway connecting the Gallery building and Cryo-Compressor Building. PHOTO: ESS
Week 24 — 13 June 2016
The final two vaults for stubs 21 and 22 were cast for the Accelerator Tunnel (G01). Preparations have begun to convert the drop hatch of the Front End Building (FEB) into a permanent access point to the Linac. Interior work continues in the Gallery building (G02), including installation of an elevator, and flooring in section 4. Facade work has started on the Cryo-Compressor Building (G04). For Target, one-third of the Installation Gallery works such as flooring, wall, and prefab roof castings are completed. Experimental Hall 3 (E01) received another bottom slab, and a retaining wall is being built to connect E01 and the Beamline Gallery (E02).
The Installation Galleries in Experimental Hall 2 and concrete pilings in the Beamline Gallery. PHOTO: ESS
View of the Target building. PHOTO: ESS
Week 23 — 6 June 2016
The steel frame was completed for the ground level building of the HEBT Loading Bay. Temporary weathering protection has been installed for the Cryo-Compressor Building (G04) as it awaits facades. Preparation has also begun for the CTL connection of the Gallery building (G02) and G04. In the Target area, preparation commenced for the first section of bottom slab in Monolith West. Blinding was cast for lab buildings (D06, D07) and steel core piling continued in the Utility area. Casting of the third bottom slab in Experimental Hall 3 (E01), and first blinding of the Beamline Gallery (E02) ramp completed. Roof flashing works continue in the Central Utility Building (H01).
Overview of Gallery building and Cryo-Compressor Building. PHOTO: ESS
Steel core piling in the Utility area of Target. PHOTO: ESS
View of Experimental Hall 3 and Beamline Gallery. PHOTO: ESS
Week 22 — 30 May 2016
HEBT Loading Bay of Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Topfill being applied to the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Casting a wall for the Experimental Hall. PHOTO: ESS
Week 21 — 23 May 2016
Reinforcement and casting work for stubs 21-26 as well as backfill from emergency exit 31 to the Front End Building (FEB) continued for the Accelerator tunnel (G01). In the Gallery building (G02), activity is underway in several areas, including finishing work in section 1 of the Cryo office, and erection of steel structures on the FEB end, and sandwich panels in sections 4 and 5. Painting has begun in the Linac Hall of the Cryo-Compressor Building (G04). Just outside the building, the gas storage area had the first section of the bottom slab cast. Excavation for ramps is ongoing in the Beamline Gallery (E02), as well as laying of pipes in the road from Experimental Hall 3 (E01) to the circular road.
Cranes near the Front End Building of the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Cryo Compressor building ready for facade work to begin. PHOTO: ESS
Ongoing form work at the Target station. PHOTO: ESS Week 20 — 16 May 2016Work was completed for stubs 1-20 and 27 of the Accelerator tunnel (G01). Ventilation duct installation is ongoing for the cold box and loading area of the Gallery building (G02). In the Target area, refill has begun for the tunnels of the Installation Gallery in Experimental Hall 1 (D01). This included the erection of a bridge to allow access for transportation to Target across the tunnels of Experimental Hall 2 (D03). Excavation for lab building (D07) was also completed. The first flooring slab for Experimental Hall 3 (E01) was made ready for casting.
Installation of ventilation ducts in the cold box hall of the Gallery building. PHOTO: ESS
Tower crane in the Target area. PHOTO: ESS
First bottom slab of Experimental Hall 3 is ready for casting. PHOTO: ESS
Week 19 — 9 May 2016
A milestone was reached in the Hot Cell area of Target with the completed casting of all 63 bored piles. Backfill is progressing in all areas around the Accelerator tunnel (G01), and steel structuring has begun for the HEBT Loading Bay. Concrete flooring is finished in the first section of the Klystron Gallery (G02), and Substations 5 and 6 are ready for refill work to begin. Installation of AcoDrain and reinforcement work for the first base slab are ongoing in Experimental Hall 3 (E01). For the Cryo-Compressor Building (G04), flooring slabs as well as the edge beam in the gas storage area were cast.
The final two of 63 large-diameter piles were cast in the Hot Cell area of Target. PHOTO: ESS
Steel beams erected for the HEBT Loading Bay. PHOTO: ESS
Reinforcement work for Experimental Hall 3. PHOTO: ESS
Week 18 — 2 May 2016
The final roof slab of the Dog-Leg emergency exit of the Accelerator tunnel (G01) was cast. Interior work, including plasterboard installation and painting, is ongoing in the large Gallery building (G02). For the Cryo-Compressor Building (G04), progress is being made on flooring reinforcement of the gas storage area, and raised access flooring in the substation section. In the Target and Experimental Halls areas, over 4,000 concrete piles are now complete. The edge beam of Experimental Hall 3 (E01) was cast, and piping for radioactive water was installed.
Structural completion of the Dog-Leg emergency exit. PHOTO: ESS
Reinforcement works ongoing for the Cryo-Compressor Building. PHOTO: ESS
Blinding and reinforcement for Experimental Hall 3. PHOTO: ESS
Piping installed for Experimental Hall 3. PHOTO: ESS
Week 17 — 25 April 2016
Reinforcement and Acodrain works progressed on the ground-level building of the HEBT Loading Bay. Preparation for base slab casting continues in the Linac Hall of the Cryo-Compressor Building (G04), as well as the installation of roof membrane, and painting in the substation area. Experimental Hall 3 (E01) received the first blinding for the floor. At Target, 52 bored piles are completed with 8 total remaining, and one third of the concrete works are finished for the installation galleries (D01, D03) of the Target building. Pre-inspection, the step before Handover inspection and release to ESS, is currently ongoing in primary substation (H05).
Backview of the Cryo Compressor Building. PHOTO: ESS
Reinforcement works for the ground floor of the HEBT Loading Bay. PHOTO: ESS
Blinding laid for the flooring of Experimental Hall 3. PHOTO: ESS
Week 16 — 18 April 2016
The HEBT Loading Bay received base-level reinforcement, and backfill operations initiated for the Dog-Leg, Front End Building (FEB), and other areas of the Accelerator tunnel. Installation of prefab metal roofing also began in the server hall section of the Central Utility Building (H01). In the Target area, steel core piling continues in the Utility area, and 6 of 21 bored piles are complete in the Hot Cell area. Reinforcement work is progressing in Experimental Hall 3 (E01). Excavation and cabling is ongoing nearby Distribution Substation (H06).
Backfill work around the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Installation of steel roofing in the server area of the Central Utility Building. PHOTO: ESS
Large-diameter bored piles in the Hot Cell area of the Target station. PHOTO: ESS
Area with concrete piling cleaned near Experimental Hall 3. PHOTO: ESS
Week 15 — 11 April 2016
The
Accelerator tunnel was structurally completed end-to-end from the FEB to the the Dog-Leg section, and celebrated during a ‘topping off’ ceremony. In the large
Gallery building (G02), steel erection is ongoing, and detailed excavation is taking place in Substation 7 and 8. Reinforcement is being applied to the gas storage area of the
Cryo-Compressor building (G04). In the Monolith area, all 42 large-diameter bored piles are now completed, and steel core piling has begun in the nearby Utility area. For the
Target building, work continues in the Installation Galleries, with prefab top slabs installed in
Experimental hall D03. Basement excavation of Substation D06 and Lab building D07 is also finished.
Final vault is cast in the Dog-Leg section to complete the Accelerator tunnel. PHOTO: ESS
Beam dump area in the Dog-Leg section. PHOTO: ESS
Prefab work on the large Gallery building. PHOTO: ESS
Preparation of remaining piles in the Monolith area. PHOTO: ESS
Week 14 — 4 April 2016
The final vault of the
Accelerator tunnel (G01), located in the Dog-Leg section, will be cast early this week. Prefab work is largely complete and metal roofing has been installed in the large
Gallery building (G02). Casting of the floors in the Cold Box and Loading halls is underway. Preparation for blinding in
Experimental Hall 3 (E01) is ongoing, and refill has begun for the adjoining lab area, E04. At the
Target station, 40 of the 42 bored piles in the Monolith are complete. The Hot Cell area has all 21 concrete rings and one pile complete, with five additional piles prepared for casting.
Refill of the emergency exits, HEBT Loading Bay, FEB and top of the Accelerator tunnel continues. PHOTO: ESS
Side view of the 62-meter-long Dog-Leg section. PHOTO: ESS
Preparation of the Target Hot Cell area. PHOTO: ESS
Week 12 — 21 March 2016
An important milestone was reached this week for the
Accelerator tunnel with the casting of the final roof slab, E25b, on the FEB side. The
Dog-Leg section had its last major vault completed, with only one smaller vault remaining. Preparation for vault casting begins now for the Dog-Leg emergency exit. Backfill of the
HEBT Loading Bay continues on the tunnel roof and emergency exits. Work is also ongoing to erect steel frames in the large
Gallery building (G02), with floor casting begun in the Cold Box hall. In the Target area, 39 of the 42 bored piles as well as six piles in the Hot Cell section are completed, and in the
Target building, 3 roof slabs are ready in the
Experimental Halls.
The final vault of the Accelerator tunnel is cast. PHOTO: ESS
Dog-Leg emergency exit being prepared for initial vault casting. PHOTO: ESS
Ongoing backfill of the HEBT Loading Bay. PHOTO: ESS
Roof slab installed in Experimental Hall 1. PHOTO: ESS