BATAVIA, Ill.-Officials at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermilab announced that the laboratory re-opened to visitors on Thursday, August 8. The Department of Energy had ordered the closing of the laboratory to most visitors as a security measure following the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001.
“Security remains a priority at Fermilab,” said laboratory director Michael S. Witherell. “We are pleased that we were able to adjust our security measures to allow additional public access.”
Jane Monhart, the Department of Energy’s Fermi Area Manager, said: “The continuing assessment of the lab’s security posture allowed increased public access as well as improved focus of the lab’s security resources.”
Visitors may now enter the site daily between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. from both east and west entrances without obtaining visitors’ passes. Both the west side Pine Street entrance and the east side Batavia Road entrance are again open to motorists as well as to pedestrians and bicyclists from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists must use the indicated visitors’ lane upon entry, and they must leave the site from the same gate they enter. Parking restrictions for visitors remain in effect, and drive-through traffic remains prohibited.
Patrons of the Fermilab Arts, Lecture and Film Series now may also enter the site from either the Pine Street or Batavia Road gates. The gates will be lowered at 8 p.m., with guards posted; however, the guards will be instructed to allow latecomers to attend the presentations. Parking for the performances will be available in the lot on the west side of Wilson Hall, except for restricted areas where signs or cones are in place.
Beginning Aug. 18, the Meet-A-Scientist program returns to Wilson Hall on Sunday afternoons, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors can meet Fermilab scientists and ask them questions in the 15th floor display space, reached by taking the elevator from the east or west side of the Wilson Hall Atrium. As with the Arts Series, parking is available in the lot on the west side of Wilson Hall, except for restricted areas. The Meet-A-Scientist program had been temporarily relocated to the Lederman Science Education Center while enhanced security measures were in effect.
And once again, visitors may also visit the public areas of Wilson Hall-the first-floor Atrium, second-floor Art Gallery and 15th-floor exhibit areas. However, all other buildings remain closed to the public, and are accessible only with a Fermilab identification card.
For more information, contact Fermilab’s Office of Public Affairs at 630-840-3351 or visit the lab’s Web site atwww.fnal.gov.
Fermilab is a Department of Energy national laboratory, operated by Universities Research Association, Inc.