Coast Guard Begins Pier Upgrades at Base Charleston with $14.8M Contract

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard has officially marked its first expenditure from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, awarding a $14.8 million contract modification to remove up to 100 submerged concrete piles under the old Pier November at Base Charleston in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The work, awarded to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company on August 25, is a crucial step toward completing new, modernized piers that will provide logistical support for up to five major cutters homeported at the base. Construction is projected to be substantially completed in 2026.

Rear Adm. Chad L. Jacoby, deputy commandant for systems, emphasized the national importance of the project and the broader scope of investment made possible through the bill.

“Thanks to the leadership and support of the President, the Secretary of Homeland Security and Congress, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides more than $24 billion to invest in the Coast Guard fleet and our inventory of shore facilities and infrastructure,” Jacoby said. “We are moving out to make the most of this historic investment, beginning with this contract modification to address previously unidentified obstacles and keep construction of Pier November at Base Charleston on schedule. 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. They are setting a strong example for future efforts that will be supported with reconciliation funding.”

Broader Impact of the Bill

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, recently enacted by Congress, includes nearly $5 billion specifically for the Coast Guard’s shore infrastructure. The funding will allow the service to tackle long-standing challenges related to aging facilities and expand its ability to support its growing fleet.

The $24 billion overall package represents one of the most significant Coast Guard investments in recent history, providing critical resources to modernize both cutters and shore-based infrastructure. Projects like the upgrades at Base Charleston are among the first steps in a wider push to ensure the service can meet current and future mission demands.

Why Base Charleston Matters

Base Charleston plays a central role in Coast Guard operations, serving as homeport to some of the service’s largest cutters. These ships are essential for missions ranging from drug interdiction and counter-smuggling to maritime border security, disaster response, and port safety enforcement.

The new piers will allow the base to handle multiple major cutters simultaneously, boosting operational readiness while supporting the Coast Guard’s ability to project maritime security along the East Coast and beyond.

About the U.S. Coast Guard

With more than 55,000 active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel, the Coast Guard operates a multi-mission fleet of over 250 cutters, 200 aircraft, 1,600 boats, and a cyber command dedicated to protecting America’s 95,000 miles of shoreline and 4.5 million square miles of exclusive economic zone.

As both a law enforcement agency and military service, the Coast Guard occupies a unique role, ensuring the safety and security of the maritime domain while supporting the nation’s economic and national security interests.

Originally reported by United States Coast Guard News.