MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic will delay completion of a national biosecurity lab in Manhattan, according to project manager.
Construction of the $1.25 billion National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility was expected to be completed by December but the disruptions might push back that and other project milestones by at least 2.5 months.
“When we talk with folks about this, we also note that the current forecast is based on ever-changing circumstances,” said Timothy Barr, project manager for the Department of Homeland Security. “There’s a possibility that the duration of the delay may increase.”
Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order does not include construction projects and about 250 workers are at the site daily.
But the pandemic has delayed shipping and manufacturing of some construction materials and travel restrictions have prevented some out-of-state workers from getting to Manhattan.
Even with the delays, officials believe the project will still come in under its $1.25 billion estimate, Barr said.
Once complete, researchers at NBAF will study diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.