WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract valued at as much as $400 million to Whiting Turner Contracting Co. for the design and construction of new facilities at Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN).
It marks the largest shore construction award in Coast Guard history and is part of a broader effort to modernize the service’s only accession point for enlisted personnel.
The enhancements are funded through the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTCA), which includes historic investments to upgrade training facilities and infrastructure, and annual appropriations.
The Coast Guard will use the funding to solidify TRACEN Cape May as the nation’s premier location for developing military enlisted members.
“This marks a historic milestone in modernizing Training Center Cape May and developing the next generation of Coast Guardsmen,” said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Phil Waldron, a former Recruit Company Commander. “By improving living spaces and facilities, we are not only bettering the quality of life for recruits, staff and their families, but also enhancing our service readiness and ensuring the Coast Guard is able to meet the future demands of the nation.”
Currently, TRACEN Cape May has capacity to train 5,500 recruits annually without relying on temporary modifications.
With the realization of a new barracks, the Coast Guard expects to increase its number of annual recruits to more than 8,000 annually by 2030. The WFTCA funding will focus on permanent improvements to support these new targets.
Planned projects include:
— Construction of barracks buildings to accommodate 8,000 recruits annually.
— Demolition and disposal of abandoned steam trenches and building foundations.
— Temporary facilities with utilities and C5IT connections.
— Relocation of electrical duct banks and transformers.
— Demolition of two existing barracks.
— Construction of a new VIP review stand, grandstands with cantilevered shading and a new parade path.
— Construction of a new multi-purpose training facility housing seamanship training, an indoor graduation space, an indoor track and a new drill hall.
— Construction of a new galley.
— Construction of a new fire station, replacing a building from the 1920s with state-of-the-art ventilation systems that allow all fire apparatus to be stored together and indoors.
Projects will specifically address berthing, messing, instruction and life safety improvements for recruits and staff.
The Coast Guard is moving efficiently to deliver these enhanced facilities, taking advantage of funding that enables investments previously deferred due to budgetary constraints. Contracted work will be conducted in phases to minimize interruption to recruit training.
“This investment marks a historic milestone in modernizing our facilities and ensuring we are fully prepared to develop the next generation of Coast Guardsmen while maintaining the highest standards,” said Capt. Amanda Lee, Commanding Officer, Training Center Cape May. “By improving infrastructure and quality of life, we are not only strengthening our workforce but also enhancing our readiness and ability to carry out critical missions that protect the nation’s maritime interests.”
With strong support from the administration and Congress, these investments will directly increase the quantity and quality of the Coast Guard enlisted workforce, supporting all Coast Guard missions, including drug interdiction, maritime border security, search and rescue, navigational safety and maritime trade.
