The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract for the replacement of a key pier at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton to accommodate the larger submarines that will be berthed there in the future.
Nebraska-based Weeks-Cashman has been awarded an initial $87.8 million contract to replace Pier 31 at the base. If all of the options on the contract are exercised, the full value could be $95.6 million.
The work is expected to be completed by November 2027.
Pier 31 was last replaced in 2012. At that time, the pier was designed specifically to accommodate the Los Angeles and Virginia class attack submarines berthed at the base.
The new project includes the extension of the submarine pier to support berthing of Block V nuclear submarines. These Virginia-class vessels, built by nearby Electric Boat, will incorporate the new Virginia Payload Module, which comprises four additional large-diameter payload tubes. This enables the submarine to deliver weapons, unmanned vehicles and other undersea payloads.
The work on the pier includes the expansion of electrical substations, dredging, and relocation of a floating security barrier, as well as potential options for demolition of existing piers and construction of a low-pressure compressed air system.
