Syracuse, N.Y. – Micron Technology plans to start construction this fall on its massive chipmaking complex in the town of Clay — and keep building virtually nonstop for 16 years.
The fourth and final fabrication plant, or fab, would be done in 2041, according to an environmental impact report Micron recently submitted to the federal and county governments. Syracuse.com has obtained the bulk of the report, which public agencies have refused to release.
The start of construction is 18 months later than originally proposed by Micron in early 2023, but the construction schedule has been shortened by several years.
Micron can start clearing trees in November, after two species of endangered bats have left the site for their winter hibernation elsewhere. Micron would start work on the main campus, known as White Pine Commerce Park, and the 36-acre rail spur site across Caughdenoy Road, this fall.
One of Micron’s first tasks will be construction of a rail spur along Caughdenoy Road on a 36-acre parcel across the road from the chipmaking site. Up to 9 million cubic yards of fill – enough to fill the JMA Wireless Dome to the roof five times – would be delivered by train to level out the site. Micron says the rail spur, which would operate from 6 a.m. to midnight, will reduce the number of trucks on the road during construction.
Work on the first fab, at the northwestern edge of the site, would begin late this year or early in 2026, and be done by 2028, according to the timeline. Fabs would be built in succession; as each is done, it will be outfitted with equipment and start producing chips.
The final fab would be done in 2041, according to the timeline, and hit peak production in 2045.
This graphic shows the estimated timeline of Micron Technology’s chipmaking complex in the town of Clay. Blue bars indicate Micron’s direct construction projects; yellow denotes construction of utilities to serve the campus. (Micron Technology)Micron Technology
Micron will also build a childcare and employee health center about a half mile north of the site, also on Caughdenoy Road.
Up to 4,200 construction workers will be on the site at peak building periods.
Construction of utility lines will continue for years, too. National Grid plans to run new electric and natural gas lines, Onondaga County says it will spend $1 billion or more to expand a sewage plant and build a new industrial wastewater plant, and the Onondaga County Water Authority has started a $550 million upgrade to deliver water to Micron and related growth.
Here’s a look at when Micron hopes to achieve major milestones:
- 2025. Start clearing trees and building the rail spur.
- 2025: National Grid starts work on electric, gas lines.
- Early 2026: Work begins on childcare site.
- Early 2026: County starts work on industrial wastewater plant
- Spring 2026: Rail spur is done and construction ramps up.
- 2028: OCWA starts building new water line from Lake Ontario.
- 2028: Construction of Fab 1, childcare center complete.
- 2028: Construction starts on Fab 2
- 2030: Fab 2 construction done.
- 2033: Fab 3 construction begins.
- 2035: Fab 3 complete.
- 2039: Work begins on Fab 4.
- 2041: Fab 4 done.
- 2045: All four fabs running at full capacity.
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