Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
A Research Centre of the Helmholtz Association

Construction effects

How long is the construction period?

Currently, we anticipate two years. A planning of the construction phase will be worked out with the Technical Design Report. We assure that we will keep the construction phase as short as possible in the interest of all. Also, because the construction of PETRA IV is associated with a shutdown of the currently operating X-ray source PETRA III, which leads to considerable restrictions for research at DESY.

What disturbances can I expect during the construction period?

It is already foreseeable that Lise-Meitner Park will be at least partially closed during the main construction period of about two years. For the construction of the approximately 600-meter-long underground experimental hall, large quantities of excavated earth will have to be moved and at least partially removed during the first months of the construction phase. For the later construction of the hall, large quantities of building material will be transported to DESY. We plan to handle all access and departure via the existing DESY access roads, if possible. However, we cannot rule out additional construction site access roads at the moment. There will probably be phases when, for example, compaction work causes greater noise.

The "Technical Design Report" for the PETRA IV project will contain details of the construction measures. It will enable us to provide concrete figures for construction traffic and the resulting disruptions. In any case, we will strive to keep the impact on neighbors as low as possible and will examine all measures necessary to achieve this.

What happens if construction takes longer than initially announced?

Our current information on the construction time is a realistic estimate based on DESY's experience with the construction of comparable facilities, for example the European XFEL. The exact construction schedule will be determined and announced with the contracted companies. 
 
Should there be delays due to weather conditions, for example, we would have to react flexibly to this. What we already guarantee: In the event of a change in the construction schedule, we will inform the neighborhood in due time..

Should I expect a loss in the value of my home as a result of the construction work?

The PETRA IV construction site will be localized. No houses will be tunnelled under. Therefore, no loss of value is to be expected. Once construction is complete, much of the new PETRA IV hall will be underground. We plan that Lise-Meitner Park will be significantly upgraded in terms of quality as a compensation measure. This should tend to increase the recreational value of the park and thus of your neighborhood. 
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