Congressman Joe Courtney announced last week that the United States Navy has committed $5.4 million dollars for design and replacement of Pier 32 at Naval Submarine Base New London to better serve operational needs.
This funding supports planning and design work for a replacement of Pier 32, one of eleven currently operational piers at the installation used to homeport fifteen nuclear submarines.
Additional funding is expected in future fiscal years to construct the replacement.
Furthermore, additional upgrades to other piers may be needed to accommodate the new generation of Virginia-class submarines.
Commenting this, Congressman Courtney said: “This project also emphasizes the continued need for the designation of an eastern Long Island Sound placement site for dredged materials.”
“According to the Navy, the replacement of Pier 32 is one of several future projects that incorporate dredging at the base – which could face significant additional costs if the EPA’s proposed site off New London is not approved or blocked. I will continue to do all I can to ensure that this site is approved without delay for our region’s military and maritime needs.”
Last week, Courtney led a letter to the EPA, signed by the Connecticut and Rhode Island Congressional Delegations, urging approval of the proposed rule to designate a new Eastern Long Island Sound Dredged Material Disposal Site (ELDS).
[mappress mapid=”23205″]