The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) this week announced that the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) project is celebrating its first major milestone with the completion of site readiness work.
The UPF will be a state-of-the-art, consolidated facility for enriched uranium operations including assembly, disassembly, dismantlement, quality evaluation, and product certification.
The site readiness construction subproject began in late spring 2013.
“UPF is essential to our Nation’s uranium mission. Site readiness work sets the standard for UPF and opens the door for other site infrastructure projects to begin,” said John Eschenberg, UPF Federal Project Director. “We’ve accomplished a lot of work in an area that stretches across approximately a five-mile linear footprint. Most importantly, we have accomplished all of these activities securely, on schedule, under budget and with high quality.”
Its completion signifies a significant step forward toward the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) commitment to complete UPF by 2025 and move out of the aging facilities it is currently using.
UPF is the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) single largest capital investment in Tennessee since World War II and NNSA’s largest-ever construction project. UPF will replace the hub of the nation’s uranium processing operations.
To execute the work, NNSA employed an integrated acquisition and project management strategy to ensure best use of taxpayer dollars. This strategy includes a partnership between DOE, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC.
“Our unique partnerships have served us well by capitalizing on the core competencies of each agency and contractor,” said Lt. Col. John Hudson, commander of the USACE Nashville District. “At the same time, the multiple interfaces require clear and continuous communication, keen attention to detail and active collaboration among all team members. The cooperation between all parties has been exceptional.”
Site readiness work supports the start of site infrastructure and services work, which includes demolition of an existing building, hillside excavation, construction of a sediment basin, installation of a vehicle arresting system gate, construction of a new portal, establishment of a concrete batch plant and building the construction support facility.
Source: National Nuclear Security Administration, Y-12 National Security Complex