The Navy said it has awarded a $48.3 million contract for the replacement of a section of 42-inch water line that experienced a major break in late February, affecting tens of thousands of Pearl Harbor-area military residents.

The new potable water transmission main will run from the Waiawa Pump Station to the existing 42-inch water main near the intersection of Lehua Avenue and Second Street, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific said.

The project also includes installation of a 16-inch potable water line for service to the Manana Housing Area, as well as a 12-inch fire line for a Hawaii Army National Guard facility and abandonment or removal of the existing 42-inch potable water transmission main piping, pipe supports and other infrastructure.

“As the Navy’s provider of drinking water to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and its sailors, Marines, airmen, soldiers, civilian employees and residents, NAVFAC Hawaii is extremely pleased with this award,” Capt. Marc Delao, the engineering group’s commanding officer, said in a release. “Our current 42-inch line, which experienced a significant break and made the news in February of this year, is well beyond its design life and in need of replacement.”

U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who visited the site of the break behind the Pearl City Home Depot store, said in a release that the pipeline is 65 years old. Military members were required to conserve water until a temporary repair was put in place.

The $48.3 million contract was awarded to Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Work is expected to be completed by November of 2021.