Lab resumes work on NMSSUP security project

Project scheduled for completion in September timeframe

The Laboratory recently resumed work on an upgrade to the security system around Technical Area 55. Workers from the Laboratory and four subcontractors will complete construction and commissioning of the critical security project in the September timeframe, managers said.

“We’ve mobilized the subcontractors and will have two phases of construction,” said project manager Ty Troutman. “The first starts in February, and it involves things that are not impacted by the weather. I expect a full restart in the late March timeframe.”

Facility, nuclear material remain secure

The Nuclear Material Safeguards and Security Upgrade Project (NMSSUP) adds fences, cameras, sensors, utility and access buildings, and other systems to the existing security infrastructure around the Lab’s principal plutonium processing facility. The facility and all nuclear material have been and will remain secure during construction.

The next major milestone is expected to be testing of the first sector of the security system in the early spring.

The NNSA and Lab reached a settlement agreement in December that delivers the project at the original (2009) approved baseline. Engineering work restarted immediately.

"Pleased with collaboration, teamwork"

“We’re very pleased with the collaboration and teamwork from NNSA to restart this project,” Troutman said. “The project integrates a number of security technologies for the first time and will give TA-55 a better, modern, more efficient security system. We have the right Federal and Lab team in place to bring this project to a successful conclusion.”