CNGS: Le faisceau de neutrinos du CERN vers le Gran Sasso.

2. Description of the CNGS project

2.3 Cost and planning schedule

2.3.1 Cost of the project

The estimated cost of the CNGS project is based on the experience of CERN engineers in underground civil engineering, accelerator and beam line construction and in particular in the building of equipment needed for high-performance neutrino beams.

Traditionally the construction of new beams such as that of the CNGS project, was always fully covered by the CERN budget. But the financial constraints affecting CERN due to the major collider project are such that the CNGS project will only be realizable through special contributions by several CERN Member States. Italy, first and foremost, has always been favourable, because the new project links up the Gran Sasso laboratory in a unique way to an accelerator laboratory, CERN. Italy has therefore proposed contributing 48.6 MCHF to the CNGS project. Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland are also contributing.

Table 1: Cost of the project

	MCHF
Civil engineering (design, structures, steel pipe, consultants):
in France	15
in Switzerland	26.6
Equipment (proton beam, target, secondary beam, hadron stop, muon detectors)	19.6
Infrastructure (cooling, ventilation, electricity, safety system, etc.)	9.8
Total	71.0

2.3.2 General scheduling

From the timetable standpoint, the CNGS project is closely linked with the LHC project. It will use the same proton extraction from the SPS and therefore, the same first 100 metres approximately of proton transfer line; the same access shafts to the SPS and LHC will also be used while installing equipment. The schedule presented here is subject to change, partly because of possible interference with the LHC project.

The general planning schedule consists of three main phases: (1) civil engineering, (2) installation of the hadron stop and the general infrastructure and (3) installation of equipment for the proton beam, target and magnetic horns.

Work has started in September 2000 near Point BA4 of the SPS. Civil engineering work will take some 32 months.

Installation of the hadron stop equipment is planned for the first six months of the year 2003. The installation of the vacuum pipe in the decay tunnel will take until the beginning of 2004. The general infrastructure should follow during the first six months of 2004. Installation of equipment in the proton transfer tunnel can be done at the same time as the installation of equipment in the target/horns zone. Beam start-up is planned for the spring of 2005. The first neutrino beam should be sent towards the Gran Sasso detectors very shortly afterwards.