WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract valued at up to $400 million to Whiting Turner Contracting Company for the design and construction of new facilities at Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Cape May, New Jersey. This 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 this 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 the 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, James and Healy Halls.
- 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 new, modern, 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.
For media inquiries contact mediarelations@uscg.mil
###
About the U.S. Coast Guard
With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, 25,000 miles of navigable rivers and 4.5 million square miles of U.S. exclusive economic zone, the U.S. Coast Guard defends the Nation, protects the marine transportation system, regulates and safeguards ports and waterways, leads the Nation in maritime drug interdiction and secures the maritime border. As a member of the joint force, a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency and a member of the U.S. intelligence community, the Coast Guard employs a unique mix of authorities to ensure the safety and integrity of the maritime domain to protect the economic and national security of the nation. More than 76,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of more than 220 cutters, 185 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, 1,300 boats and its own dedicated cyber command to protect critical maritime infrastructure.
More information about the U.S. Coast Guard can be found at www.uscg.mil Follow @USCG on X and Instagram, like us on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube and follow LinkedIn—connect with us.
Make a difference on land, at sea or in the air with the Coast Guard. Visit GoCoastGuard.com to find out how to be part of our team.
-USCG-