Maryland Moves Forward with Key Bridge Rebuild

Maryland has taken another step forward in the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge by awarding $60 million in construction management and inspection services contracts. This comes nearly a year after the bridge’s tragic collapse in March 2024, when the cargo ship Dali struck the structure, sending it into the Patapsco River and claiming the lives of six construction workers.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced the approval of three $20 million contracts last week. These contracts will provide essential oversight and support throughout the rebuild process.

Selected Firms for the Key Bridge Reconstruction

The firms awarded these contracts will act as construction management and inspection services consultants, ensuring the integrity and compliance of the project. According to MDTA’s release, the selected teams include:

• A joint venture of Greenman-Pedersen, based in Babylon, New York, and Gannett Fleming, headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
• A joint venture of Michael Baker International, based in Pittsburgh, and STV, which is headquartered in New York City.
• AECOM Technical Services, based in Long Beach, California.

These teams will work alongside MDTA’s general engineering consultant, Bridging Maryland Partnership, a joint venture composed of WSP, RK&K, and JMT. The progressive design-builder, Kiewit, based in Omaha, Nebraska, will also play a key role in the effort.

Responsibilities of the Selected Contractors

The contractors will provide constructability reviews, detailed inspections, and compliance monitoring for the project. Their scope of work includes:

• Erosion and sediment control compliance
• Traffic maintenance during construction
• Materials testing to ensure safety and durability
• Scheduling and document control for project tracking
• Assistance in enforcing Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals to promote diversity and inclusion in the construction workforce

These services will ensure that the Key Bridge rebuild is completed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Unveiling the New Key Bridge Design

On February 4, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the MDTA revealed the proposed design for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge, which will follow the same alignment as the original structure. The new design maintains the visual aesthetics of the former bridge while incorporating key structural improvements to enhance durability and accommodate modern shipping needs.

“Today, we take an important step toward recovering from the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that has affected not just Maryland’s economy, but the nation’s economy,” said Moore in the release. “While we mark the unveiling of the new bridge design, we continue to honor the six Marylanders who lost their lives while serving our state and their families who carry their legacy forward.”

The upgraded bridge design features a cable-stayed structure that allows for significant improvements, including:

• An expanded federal shipping channel, increasing its width from 700 feet to 1,000 feet to improve maritime navigation.
• A taller base, raising the bridge’s clearance by an additional 45 feet to better accommodate marine traffic.
• Stronger pier supports, reinforcing the structure for long-term resilience.
• A roadway with two lanes in each direction, similar to the original bridge, but with enhanced safety measures.

Next Steps for the Key Bridge Reconstruction

Before construction can officially begin, the bridge design must undergo final regulatory approvals and environmental clearances. Preconstruction activities began in January, and demolition of the remaining sections of the collapsed bridge is scheduled to start in the spring.

While an exact construction timeline has not yet been confirmed, Maryland officials have expressed their commitment to rebuilding the Key Bridge efficiently and restoring a vital transportation link for the region.

As efforts progress, the state remains focused on safety, economic impact, and honoring those who lost their lives in the tragic collapse, ensuring the new Key Bridge stands as a lasting tribute and an essential infrastructure improvement for Maryland and the nation.

Originally reported by Julie Strupp in Construction Dive