U.S. Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH), John Sununu (R-NH), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization bill, which was unanimously reported out of the Senate Armed Services Committee, includes an authorization of $20.7 million for the construction of a new Dry Dock #3 Waterfront Support facility at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. These funds would provide a state-of-the-art facility to enhance the productivity and efficiency on submarine depot availabilities. The new Dry Dock facility will assist the Shipyard in its mission of supporting the Navy’s newest Virginia Class submarines. The Defense Authorization bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
The Senators stated, “The news that nearly $21 million for the new waterfront support facility at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has been included in the Defense Authorization bill means this critical project is one step closer to reality. The new 36,000 square foot facility will allow the Shipyard to continue its gold-standard record of quality performance and efficiency in repairing naval submarines and ensure the safety of the workers.”
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