On September 22 Mar Capeans gave a presentation on Site Development activities and plans during the CERN Finance Committee. The Head of the Site and Civil Engineering Department highlighted the importance of the Technical Galleries Consolidation project, being a necessary remedy to the existing issues and strategic preparation for future expansions. 

As stated in the scope of the TG-CONS project, its aim is not only to refurbish the galleries' conditions to the extent reasonably possible but also to develop a base for further improvements related to safety and environmental aspects.

The technical galleries concerned by the project are located on both Meyrin and Prevessin sites, right below the ground level, summing up to the total length of 14 kilometers. They are used to distribute network services through the campus or between buildings. To start with, 2 pilot galleries were chosen: GT818 in Prevessin and GT835 in Meyrin.

A step-by-step working strategy is applied. At first, a detailed survey is conducted in order to identify the current state. After the risk is assessed, the re-engineering phase may begin. A detailed schedule of intervention is developed, starting with services disconnection in works-surrounding areas and implementation of compensatory measures. At this stage, an old infrastructure (including asbestos and lead materials) can be dismantled, while the existing installations are repaired. Finally, new services and connections in adjacent buildings are installed. As soon as they are tested and commissioned, the compensatory measures are dismantled.

Despite the challenging nature of the project, consolidation of technical galleries is a key to the further successful operation of CERN.