Originally published in the October 2019 issue of the CTA Newsletter.

The first phase of the CTA-North site’s infrastructure design commenced in August 2019 as CTA site hosting partner the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) initiated a contract for the infrastructure design and planning of the remaining Large-Sized Telescope (LST) foundations (LST 2, LST 3 and LST 4) and one of the Medium-Sized Telescopes (MST), the MST 3, as well as the auxiliary instrumentation for the site (three weather stations and several atmospheric monitoring and calibration devices). This project also includes roads and fencing, as well as accesses, underground services and power networks, to complete the infrastructure for the central part of the array.

The IAC has hired a group of experienced local firms – Onazol & F4 Ingenieros, H&T Ingenieros, Estudio AT3 and Innovasol Medioabiental – to prepare the studies and documentation necessary for the construction permits (a preliminary study, basic project study and environmental impact study) and the tender for construction (detailed design reviews). The CTA Observatory (CTAO) and the LST and MST teams are contributing the technical requirements and related guidance to the contractors. The work is scheduled to end by June 2020 when, if all goes as planned, the permitting process will be complete, and the construction tender process can be executed.

The work is being funded by the IAC from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is a fund allocated by the European Union for investments in the infrastructure and services of underdeveloped regions.

The next phase will include preparations for the final detailed design of the operations building and the remaining MST foundations and infrastructure. The contract for this work will be awarded before the end of 2019.