Navy Plans Pier Replacement at New London Submarine Base

The U.S. Navy just announced a huge infrastructure upgrade at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. They’ve awarded an $87.8 million construction contract—potentially going up to $95.6 million—to replace and expand Pier 31.

This move shows the Navy’s ongoing push to modernize its submarine facilities for both current and future needs. The upgrade will support Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class submarines.

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It follows recent improvements at the base, which keeps reinforcing its place as a major pillar in the region’s economy and national defense.

A Major Upgrade to Naval Submarine Base New London

Pier 31, built back in 2012, is about to get a serious overhaul. The Navy plans to extend the pier by 90 feet, which will boost docking capacity for its most advanced submarine fleets.

This extra space means bigger and more sophisticated vessels can fit with ease. The Navy’s fleet keeps evolving, and upgrades like this are crucial to keep up with modern maritime defense needs.

The base sits along the Thames River in Groton, not actually in New London despite the name. They expect to finish the project by November 2027, so it’ll bring a few years of economic activity to the area while giving the Navy a much-needed infrastructure boost.

Construction Team and Project Scope

Weeks-Cashman JV—a partnership between Weeks Marine and Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co.—will handle the construction. These folks know maritime projects inside and out, so they’re a solid pick for a job of this size.

This Pier 31 overhaul is just one piece of a bigger plan. Pier 32 wrapped up in November 2022, and they’re already looking ahead to replacing Pier 8 next. Investments like these help the base keep pace with the Navy’s most advanced submarines.

Groton’s Role in America’s Submarine Fleet

About 6,000 sailors and civilians work at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. Since its founding in 1916, it’s stood as the country’s first permanent continental submarine base, and its role in naval history is pretty huge.

The base supports a range of vessels, including the new USS Iowa, a Virginia-class submarine that joined the fleet in April.

Electric Boat and Local Industry Impact

Not far from the base, General Dynamics Electric Boat has its headquarters in Groton too. This defense contractor has already delivered 13 Virginia-class submarines and recently landed a $12.4 billion contract to build two more.

The close connection between the base and Electric Boat really drives the local economy. It creates thousands of skilled jobs in construction, engineering, and the trades.

Towns all over southeastern Connecticut—like New London, Norwich, Waterford, and East Lyme—see economic benefits from the base. Workers commute in from places like Stonington, Montville, and Ledyard, so the whole region feels the impact.

Economic and Strategic Benefits

The Pier 31 project will pump millions into the local economy during construction, supporting jobs in a bunch of industries. It also keeps Groton front and center for the Navy’s submarine operations.

Here’s what stands out about the project:

Extended service life for a key naval pier
More docking capacity for bigger, more advanced subs
Economic growth in southeastern Connecticut, thanks to new jobs
Modernization that matches the Navy’s future fleet needs

Looking Ahead

The new Pier 31 is set to wrap up in November 2027. It’ll stand as a testament to both Groton’s technological edge and its deep naval roots.

This long timeline gives engineers and builders room to get things right. They’ll need to juggle tight military requirements and complex logistics along the way.

Connecticut’s got a long naval history, and this project just adds another chapter. It keeps the state out front in maritime defense, which honestly feels like something to celebrate.

For folks in Groton, New London, Norwich, Waterford, East Lyme, Stonington, Montville, and Ledyard, Pier 31 means more than just construction. It’s about local pride and maybe, just maybe, a steadier economic future.

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Here is the source article for this story: U.S. Navy announces plans to replace a pier at submarine base in southeastern CT

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