Rendering of the substitute of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, with downtown Baltimore on the left and the Port of Baltimore on the best. With its swish define and delicate design, officers mentioned the brand new bridge will modernize Baltimore’s skyline. (Workplace of the Governor of Maryland through Related Press)
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SPARROWS POINT, Md. — Virtually a 12 months after the lethal collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland officers on Feb. 4 unveiled their designs for its substitute, which can be taller and higher protected towards ship strikes.
Development of the state’s first cable-stayed bridge could possibly be accomplished in 2028 and value about $1.7 billion.
With its swish define and delicate design, officers mentioned the brand new bridge will modernize Baltimore’s skyline, changing into a logo of resilience, progress and financial development. The design options two towers with cables radiating all the way down to the deck.
“This can be a nice day for the state of Maryland,” Gov. Wes Moore mentioned at a information convention. “However it’s not misplaced on me that immediately’s triumph was born out of tragedy.”
The unique Key Bridge, a 1.6-mile metal span on the mouth of Baltimore’s harbor, took 5 years to assemble and opened to visitors in 1977. It linked varied port-oriented industrial communities round Baltimore and allowed drivers to simply bypass downtown.
Right now I’m proud to hitch @LtGovMiller and our state and native companions at Tradepoint Atlantic to unveil the brand new design of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
We are going to rebuild the bridge to indicate as soon as once more what it means to be #MarylandTough and #BaltimoreStrong. https://t.co/jafHQafNNc
— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) February 4, 2025
The bridge was destroyed when an enormous containership misplaced energy and slammed into certainly one of its supporting columns. The March 26 collapse killed six development employees who had been filling potholes when the construction crumbled beneath them. Baltimore’s port was closed for months after the collapse, and elevated visitors congestion stays an issue for drivers throughout the area.
Officers rapidly promised to rebuild the bridge — a long-standing Baltimore landmark and important piece of transportation infrastructure.
Demolition of the remaining items will happen this spring, with development of its substitute to comply with, officers mentioned.
This can be a nice day for the state of Maryland. However it’s not misplaced on me that immediately’s triumph was born out of tragedy.
Wes Moore, governor of Maryland
They held the information convention at Tradepoint Atlantic, a delivery hub within the Port of Baltimore that performed a serious position in cleanup and restoration efforts following the collapse. The ability is revitalizing the positioning of a former Bethlehem Metal plant simply northeast of Baltimore as maritime delivery continues to gas the regional financial system.
“Maryland is a bridge between America and the remainder of the world. We get vehicles from Michigan out to market. We carry sugars and spices to Louisiana. We haul farm tools from the East Coast deep into the heartland,” Moore mentioned. “Commerce and commerce are the bedrock of our state, and we are going to proceed to make investments that honor our custom.”
In August, the state awarded a $73 million contract for the primary part of the rebuild to Kiewit Infrastructure, a serious development and engineering agency.
Officers mentioned the challenge would advance in two phases, with the primary specializing in the design work and different obligatory steps earlier than development begins. Moore promised to “make use of many Marylanders” all through the method.
Rendering of the bridge design with downtown Baltimore within the background. The federal authorities has agreed to cowl the complete price ticket for rebuilding. (Workplace of the Governor of Maryland through Related Press)
Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld mentioned the design will embrace the most recent in pier safety know-how, which has turn into more and more essential as ships preserve getting greater to hold extra cargo. The bridge will even be taller to offer extra clearance. He mentioned the plans had been developed with the challenge’s value and development timeline in thoughts.
“Whereas it is a lovely bridge, it would even be a working bridge for a working metropolis,” Wiedefeld mentioned.
The federal authorities has agreed to cowl the complete price ticket for rebuilding. Congress lately handed a spending invoice that included a funding provision for the challenge.
Officers have mentioned they count on that federal taxpayers will ultimately be made complete by way of insurance coverage payouts and damages, however that would take some time. A sprawling civil case will in the end decide the assignments of legal responsibility in what might turn into one of the vital costly maritime disasters in U.S. historical past.
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board has not but launched its ultimate report on the collapse, although officers mentioned a free cable within the ship’s electrical switchboard probably contributed to its energy points. Federal brokers boarded the cargo ship Dali amid a felony investigation final 12 months.
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