Federal, contractor officials celebrate UPF site readiness work on Friday

Frank Klotz

Federal officials and contractors will celebrate the completion of site readiness work for the multi-billion dollar Uranium Processing Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex on Friday morning.

The UPF site readiness work includes a Bear Creek Road extension and the creation of a haul road.

“Site readiness is the first major step for UPF, a project essential for supporting our nation’s uranium mission,” a media advisory said. “Completion of this stage of the field work to prepare for building UPF signifies a move forward toward the National Nuclear Security Administration’s commitment to complete UPF and move out of the aging 9212 facility.”

The Friday morning celebration starts at 10 a.m. The media has been invited to attend.

Among those who will participate are NNSA Administrator General Frank Klotz; Congressman Chuck Fleischmann; Lieutenant Colonel John Hudson, commander of the Nashville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; UPF Federal Project Director John Eschenberg; Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC President and CEO Jim Haynes; and UPF Project Director Brian Reilly.

The announcement is one of two significant events in Oak Ridge on Friday, March 13. On Friday afternoon, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and state officials will make a significant economic development announcement at the former Theragenics Building at the Horizon Center in west Oak Ridge.

The media advisory said the UPF project has received CD-4 approval, which means use of the roads can begin. The haul road will alleviate traffic congestion while the UPF project is under construction.

“To execute the work, NNSA has employed an integrated acquisition and project management strategy to ensure best use of taxpayer dollars,” the advisory said. “This strategy includes a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC. Site readiness work was completed on time and under budget.”

NNSA accessed USACE services through an interagency agreement to provide construction management for the majority of the site readiness work, including the Bear Creek Road extension.

Upcoming UPF site readiness work includes more site infrastructure and services. The USACE currently has a pre-solicitation notice outlining a portion of the work at Fed Biz Opps. CNS is preparing plans for other components of this key scope.