Planned renovations of the Langley Marina’s boat launch are expected to begin this month and may be done before the end of October, according to Port of South Whidbey officials.

Port commissioners unanimously agreed at a special meeting in Freeland last week to hire Friday Harbor-based Mike Carlson Enterprises to do the work. Port Manager Ed Field said there a few last-minute details, but he said the firm is eager to get started.

“They are planning to charge right ahead and be done as soon as possible,” Field said.

The project calls for the installation of two 25-foot floats, a gangway and a 12-foot concrete pedestrian ramp at the boat launch. The improvements were originally part of phase one of the larger $2.4 million plan to redevelop the marina, but boat launch work was moved ahead for permitting reasons.

Mike Carlson Enterprises submitted the low bid for the project at $128,000. It was one of six firms to submit bids for the work. All but one came in below a hired engineers estimate of $181,600.

Field and port commissioners alike welcomed the low bids and expressed hope that similar savings may be found with phase one, which is beginning to show signs of life with progress in the federal permitting process.

“It’s good work and good news,” Commissioner Curt Gordon said.

“It’s a nice dry run for the big project,” Field agreed.