BATH – A contract for the construction of seven Navy DDG-51 destroyers over the next four years will be awarded to Bath Iron Works in early September, Sen. Susan Collins announced Tuesday.

The contract has been expected since the Navy agreed in June to a work swap between Bath Iron Works and two southern shipyards.

Under that deal, the Bath shipyard agrees to give up work on amphibious transport ships in exchange for more work on the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers.

Collins said Tuesday that Navy Secretary Gordon England has confirmed the contract will be awarded on or about Sept. 6. The Navy is required to notify Congress of its plans to award contracts.