An estimated three to four million dollars will be spent by Esso to rebuild Bermuda's only oil pier at Ferry Road in St. George's.

Esso's general manager Ed Edelson had announced last September, plans to construct the vital dock this year but the application was just submitted to the Planning Department last month.

According to Mr. Edelson, pending planning approval for the project, construction would begin next spring.

He explained that the overhaul is needed to strengthen the pier which has seen no improvements since it was last worked on in 1979.

"The present dock has been in existence for 40 years and we need to strengthen it for the next 20,'' said Mr. Edelson.

Vital to Bermuda, all oil is unloaded at the 475-foot pier. It is used by both Esso and its competitor Shell.

Technicians had come to the Island to assess the state of the dock and help in the design and plans for the new one. Divers were also used to determine the extent of work needed.

The planning application seeks approval not only for a new platform but for a telescopic ladder as well. Mr. Edelson noted that the increasing size of vessels makes the ladder an absolute necessity.

"Because ships are getting bigger and bigger, taller and taller there are new demands we have to meet.'' he said. "It's not going to fall down tomorrow (the dock) but it needs to be updated.''