Expansion work of the Langley Marina that’s not of the paper variety should begin this spring.

The Port of South Whidbey has been preparing for the estimated $1.4 million upgrade for several years, obtaining permits and plans, but now bids for the era l work have been sought and the best proposal will soon be approved.

The port commissioners will open phase one bids at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. Ed Field, port operations manager, said at last week’s meeting that the bids will be reviewed, with the winning bid set to be awarded at the port’s March 12 meeting.

The work will consist of aligning a 400-foot pier/breakwater and connecting it to the main marina area. Lighting has been an issue, but Field said “we’ve had a real good series of meeting with the city and its staff,” referring to Langley. He anticipates LED lighting that can be controlled remotely with brightness depending on conditions.

Once the contractor is selected, work in the marina could begin in April. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders was thanked for providing a staging area for the project, utilizing a parking lot at its Langley facility.