Batavia, Ill. – Officials at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory announced that the laboratory is allowing additional public access to the site as of Monday, January 24. 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.
“I believe that these changes will make our site more welcoming to our neighbors and other visitors without compromising Fermilab’s security,” said laboratory director Michael S. Witherell.
Joanna Livengood, Acting Manager of the DOE Fermi Site Office, offered that “security continues to remain a high priority at Fermilab. Through a joint effort between the DOE and Fermilab, we have adjusted our security measures to allow additional community access to the site without compromising security to the laboratory facilities.”
Visitors can enter Fermilab through both the west side Pine Street entrance and the east side Batavia Road entrance during daylight hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from mid-October through mid-April, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from mid-April through mid-October. Visitors coming by car will have to show valid identification to a security officer and tell the purpose of their visit, but will no longer need to get visitors’ passes. Pedestrians and bicyclists can continue to enter either entrance without passes. Motorists must leave the site from the same gate they enter. Motorists will receive site maps to guide them to public areas, and signs will warn visitors of roads that are off-limits. Parking restrictions for visitors remain in effect, and drive-through traffic remains prohibited.
Visitors can visit the Lederman Science Center, the ground floor and atrium of Wilson Hall, and the Ramsey Auditorium, where signs will mark the boundaries. Visitors attending the Arts, Lecture and Film Series performances must continue to enter at the Pine Street entrance only.
For more information, contact Fermilab’s Office of Public Affairs at 630-840-3351 or visit the lab’s Web site at www.fnal.gov.
Fermilab is a DOE Office of Science National Laboratory, operated by Universities Research Association, Inc., under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy.