On March 15, Fermilab broke ground on PIP-II, a major new accelerator project at Fermilab. Dignitaries from the United States and international partners celebrated the start of the new project at the groundbreaking ceremony. The PIP-II accelerator will power the long-term future of the laboratory’s research program, including the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment and a suite of on-site experiments.
The event is captured in the photos below. Click on the magnifying glass to view the images in full.
PIP-II groundbreaking
PIP-II Project Director Lia Merminga, center, in blue, helped lead honored guests on a tour of Fermilab's PIP-II test facilities. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Fermilab engineer Chuck Grimm, right, shows Congressman Bill Foster an acceleration cavity coupler. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
PIP-II Federal Project Director Adam Bihary of DOE, DOE Fermi Site Office Deputy Manager Mark Bollinger and DOE Associate Director of High Energy Physics Jim Siegrist get ready for the day's ceremony. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
In his address, Governor JB Pritzker said that "the kind of impact that PIP-II has here in Illinois is incredibly meaningful." Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
DOE Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar touted the technologies that come out of discovery science. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Senator Tammy Duckworth described Fermilab as a "uniting place where we bring scientists from all around the Earth to answer the questions of humanity." Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood recognized PIP-II as a "first step toward untold discovery and promise." Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Congressman Sean Casten praised the cutting-edge nature of Fermilab's work. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Consul General of France Guillaume Lacroix talked about the importance of science, progress and international collaboration. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
All eyes are on the invited speakers at the PIP-II groundbreaking ceremony on March 15. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
The news media was well-represented at the PIP-II groundbreaking ceremony. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin each hold a memento of the day's event: a mounted SRF acceleration cavity. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Senator Tammy Duckworth, left, and Consul General of India Neeta Bhushan were part of the milestone occasion. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
On Friday, March 15, Fermilab broke ground on the PIP-II accelerator project, joined by dignitaries from the United States and international partners on the project. From left: Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL), Senator Dick Durbin (IL), Rep. Sean Casten (IL-6), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-2), Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11), Fermilab Director Nigel Lockyer, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, DOE Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar, Fermilab PIP-II Project Director Lia Merminga, DOE Associate Director for High Energy Physics Jim Siegrist, University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer, Consul General of India Neeta Bhushan, British Consul General John Saville, Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Finocchiaro, Consul General of France Guillaume Lacroix, DOE Fermi Site Office Manager Mike Weis, DOE PIP-II Federal Project Director Adam Bihary and Consul General of Poland Piotr Janicki. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
After the groundbreaking, Governor JB Pritzker, center, shakes the hand of Fermilab's Lia Merminga, PIP-II project director. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Senator Dick Durbin, left, and Fermilab Deputy Director for LBNF Chris Mossey pose for a photo after the speeches. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
Shortly after breaking ground on the PIP-II accelerator project, Fermilab employees were joined by the governor of Illinois, six members of Congress and partners from around the world in this group photo. Photo: Reidar Hahn
PIP-II groundbreaking
This architectural rendering shows the buildings that will house the new PIP-II accelerators. Credit: Fermilab