The Navy this week awarded a New Jersey-based marine construction company a $67.325 million contract to build a new pier at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.

Weeks Marine Inc. won the contract for the project, which will include demolition of an existing, aging pier to make way for the new pier, where future Virginia-class attack submarines will be moored. The work is expected to be complete by October 2022.

“This significant investment in our waterfront reflects the high priority the Navy and the nation place on our submarine force,” the base’s commanding officer, Capt. Todd. D. Moore, said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said the modernization will ensure the pier can accommodate future classes of attack submarines and will account for future sea level rise to ensure it can be used long into the future.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., in a joint statement issued Thursday said the project also presents job opportunities for Connecticut residents.