The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded its first two major contracts under the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, both to the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, to advance infrastructure upgrades at bases on both coasts that will support the service’s expanding cutter fleet and future polar operations.
On Aug. 25, the Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center (FDCC) announced a $14.8 million contract modification with Whiting-Turner to remove as many as 100 submerged concrete piles under the old Pier November at Base Charleston, S.C. The work is needed to keep construction of new piers on schedule, part of a modernization effort that will enable the base to host up to five major cutters. Construction is slated for completion in 2026.
“This contract modification…keeps construction of Pier November at Base Charleston on schedule,” said Rear Adm. Chad L. Jacoby, deputy commandant for systems. “The CG-SHORE and contracting teams took prompt action to get this effort underway quickly and ensure the project is completed on time with minimal impact to operations.”
This action marks the first expenditure of One Big Beautiful Bill Act funds, the Coast Guard said, which sets aside nearly $5 billion for Coast Guard shore infrastructure needs.
Two days later, on Aug. 27, the FDCC awarded another major contract to Whiting-Turner, this time for the first phase of work to modernize Base Seattle, Wash., in preparation for homeporting the new polar security cutters (PSC).
The $137 million Phase 1A contract includes dredging Slip 36 and constructing two modernized berths to host PSCs, along with upgrading utilities, widening slips, stabilizing waterfront structures, and recapitalizing Station Seattle’s small boat facilities. The Coast Guard said the dredging will also involve removal of contaminated sediment in compliance with an Environmental Protection Agency order under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Coast Guard says it is the largest CERCLA hazardous material removal action in its history.
Future phases of work at Base Seattle will bring four major cutter berths, supporting the Coast Guard’s new icebreaking fleet. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides $4.3 billion toward continuing PSC construction, part of a broader $24 billion investment in the service’s fleet and shore facilities, the agency’s statement highlighted.
The Coast Guard said the upgrades are designed to improve logistics for cutters at homeport, maintain operational readiness, and enable the service to project presence in the Arctic and Antarctic.
