Photo By Jeb Fach | The newly renovated Dry Dock 4, with its initial seismic retrofit work complete five...... read more read more
The Navy on Aug. 26 marked the completion of the seismic retrofit of Dry Dock 4 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF). Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Northwest executed the $377.7 million modernization project contract, which reinforced the structural integrity of the historic dry dock against future seismic events as a part of the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP).
With the original scope of work tracking five months ahead of schedule, NAVFAC Northwest leveraged funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) to complete additional upgrades on the dry dock, bringing the contract value to $517 million.
“This is a great milestone, delivering capacity back to the shipyard – with added resilience and much-needed improvements,” said Mark Edelson, the program executive officer for Infrastructure and Expeditionary (PEO IE). “This has been a tremendous team effort among the Navy and industry, taking an urgent need, developing a collaborative, innovative contracting and engineering solution, and keeping the shipyard operating while preparing it for the future. Careful planning and rapid execution are hallmarks of SIOP, and I applaud all the stakeholders for achieving this success.”
To complete the project ahead of schedule, construction crews worked around the clock, six days a week, to systematically install massive structural anchors into the dry dock perimeter. Each anchor consists of 12 cables drilled through the dry dock walls, past the drainage layer, and deep into the native soil. NAVFAC conducted advanced geotechnical testing and advanced computer modeling allowed the team to reduce the number of required anchors from an initially estimated 1,000 down to just 600, which significantly minimized costs and accelerated the timeline. Once positioned, grouted, and tensioned, these anchors ensure the dry dock can withstand a major seismic event with less than six inches of lateral movement, protecting docked assets from contact with the walls.
OBBA funded additional upgrades to reinforce the quay walls on either side of the caisson, add additional anchors in the dry dock around the pump well, and reinforce the pump well to seismic safety standards. It also funded removal of 500 decommissioned keel blocks, allowing additional laydown space at the shipyard that directly benefits shipyard operations and the ability to move and store necessary supplies, equipment, and material.
“This project team was excellent. They used their resources well and learned how to safely reduce the required anchors by 40%, proving that innovation and close alignment on the waterfront can deliver results ahead of schedule,” said Rear Adm. Omarr Tobias, NAVFAC Pacific commander. “By executing this additional OBBA-funded work immediately following our early finish, we directly improved daily operations on the waterfront. This coordinated effort ensures that PSNS & IMF has both a structurally sound dry dock and the logistical flexibility needed to operate safely and efficiently.”
Completing Dry Dock 4 represents a win beyond budget and timelines. For PSNS & IMF, it ensures safe operating conditions for the workers who service the Navy assets coming into the dry dock.
“The work we execute at this shipyard is vitally important to the Navy and would not be possible without the dedication of our skilled workforce,” said PSNS & IMF commander Capt. Will Sumsion. “This seismic retrofit is not only an investment in planned upgrades here at the yard, but a tangible example of our deep commitment to the safety of our people. I would like to extend my personal thanks to the Navy construction and contractor teams for completing this project on-budget and ahead of schedule. This enables the PSNS & IMF mission to return combat-capable ships to sea, and directly supports the defense of our nation.”
Dry Dock 4 is just one of several ongoing SIOP projects at PSNS & IMF designed to modernize the nation's shipyards. To learn more about SIOP infrastructure investments in the Puget Sound area, visit multimissiondrydock.com.
For questions or concerns regarding this contract, contact the NAVFAC Northwest Public Affairs Office at mailto:navfacnwpao@us.navy.mil.
– USN –
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command is the naval shore facilities, base operating support, and expeditionary engineering systems command that delivers life-cycle technical and acquisition solutions aligned to the fleet and Marine Corps priorities. Follow us at http://www.facebook.com/navfacnorthwest and http://www.linkedin.com/showcase/navfacnorthwest.
| Date Taken: | 08.27.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2026 11:29 |
| Story ID: | 573341 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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