France: Implenia builds for CERN
Implenia is carrying out an underground construction project in France for the European Laboratory of Particle Physics (CERN). The contract is worth the equivalent of around CHF 70 million.
According to Implenia, various underground structures and several above-ground buildings are being built in the French town of Cessy, around 15 kilometres from Meyrin (GE). The infrastructure is needed for CERN's flagship expansion project, the High Luminosity LHC.
Specifically, Implenia is building an underground network of tunnels that connects to the existing tunnel of CERN's particle accelerator. Access to the tunnels is being provided via a new 60-metre-deep shaft, at the foot of which a cavern containing the technical installations is being built. Implenia is also building a gallery for current transformers, a service tunnel and personnel safety exits underground. On the surface, buildings are being constructed for electrical equipment, cooling units, ventilation and compressors, among other things.
According to Implenia, the geology and proximity to the CERN facilities in operation pose challenges. Vibration during the work must be kept to a minimum, as otherwise the client's technical installations could be affected. For this reason, electric excavation machines are to be used, which reduce vibrations and do not produce any exhaust gases.
Implenia is realising the project in a joint venture with Baresel GmbH. Implenia is taking on the technical management and leadership of the project and holds a 60 percent stake. The contract is worth €58 million, which is equivalent to around CHF 69.5 million.
The construction company describes the project win as an important step in the further diversification of its project portfolio in France. It had previously won two lots on the Grand Paris Express.
