A major Quebec-based contractor has been awarded a $55.45-million contract to deconstruct B Jetty at CFB Esquimalt and carry out related improvements.

Pomerleau Inc., which has an office in Surrey, was the lowest of four bidders for the work. Bids were opened in Victoria last month and the contract was awarded Jan. 11.

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Work is expected to begin in April, with contract completion set for Sept. 28, 2019, said Erin Rice, Defence Construction Canada’s local team leader for construction services.

This is one step in a larger years-long project, worth an estimated $781 million, to replace both A and B jetties at the naval base and remediate Esquimalt Harbour.

Under the contract, Pomerleau will dismantle B jetty, dredge the sea bed, and perform significant site preparation on land and on the foreshore near that jetty, Rice said.

Preparation includes demolishing a few small buildings and relocating portions of the oily waste water treatment plant infrastructure, she said.

A significant amount of rock excavation is planned, as well as extensive road realignment.

Underground utility service tunnels and seawalls will be built, along with temporary and then permanent re-routing of below-ground utility services, such as electric power mains, water mains, and steam mains.

Temporary and then new sewer lift station infrastructure is also on the agenda.

A and B jetties, built more than 70 years ago, are considered by the military to be “well beyond their service life.”

The old jetties were constructed of treated wood and are too short and narrow for today’s needs.

Larger jetties built with steel and concrete piles will provide structurally sound berthing facilities for Canada’s navy, officials said.

The jetties are expected to be the home base for new vessels slated to be built at Seaspan’s North Vancouver shipyard under the federal government’s shipbuilding strategy plan, including an Arctic-and-offshore patrol ship and a joint-support ship.

A subsequent contract will cover construction of a new B jetty, and dismantling and construction of A jetty, said Rice.

Dredging is part of the plan to remove and remediate contaminated areas of the harbour seabed and foreshore fill within Esquimalt Harbour, the Royal Canadian Navy’s website says.

cjwilson@timescolonist.com