Maryland’s SPARROWS POINT. On Tuesday, Maryland officials announced their plans for a taller, more ship-strike-resistant replacement for the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed fatally about a year ago.
It may take up to $1.7 billion to build the first cable-stayed bridge in the state, which may be finished in 2028.
According to officials, the new bridge’s delicate design and elegant contour will update Baltimore’s skyline and serve as a symbol of resiliency, development, and economic prosperity. Two towers with cables extending downward to the deck are part of the design.
At a press conference late Tuesday morning, Governor Wes Moore declared that this is a fantastic day for the state of Maryland. However, I am aware that tragedy gave rise to today’s victory.
After five years of construction, the original Key Bridge, a steel span that is 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers) long and located near the mouth of Baltimore’s harbor, opened to traffic in 1977. It made it easy for cars to avoid downtown and connected Baltimore’s port-oriented industrial areas.
A huge cargo ship lost power and struck one of the bridge’s supporting columns, destroying it. Six construction workers were repairing potholes when the structure collapsed beneath them on March 26. Following the collapse, Baltimore’s port was closed for months, and vehicles around the region continue to face heightened traffic congestion.
Officials promptly pledged to restore the bridge, a significant piece of transportation infrastructure and an icon in Baltimore.
According to officials on Tuesday, the remaining components will be demolished this spring, and then the replacement will be built.
Tradepoint Atlantic, a shipping hub in the Port of Baltimore that was crucial to the cleanup and recovery activities after the collapse, served as the venue for Tuesday’s news conference. As the region’s economy continues to be fueled by maritime commerce, the facility is reviving the location of a former Bethlehem Steel plant just northeast of Baltimore.
Maryland serves as a link between the United States and the global community. We deliver automobiles from Michigan to the market. We supply Louisiana with spices and sugars. According to Moore, we transport farm equipment from the East Coast all the way into the heartland. Our state is built on trade and commerce, and we will keep making investments that respect our history.
Kiewit Infrastructure, a significant engineering and construction company, was given a $73 million contract by the state in August for the first phase of the reconstruction.
According to officials, the project will proceed in two stages, the first of which will concentrate on design work and other prerequisites before building starts. Moore pledged to hire a large number of Marylanders during the undertaking.
The design will incorporate the newest pier protection equipment, which has grown in significance as ships continue to get larger and carry more cargo, according to Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. In order to give extra clearance, the bridge will also be higher. According to him, the project’s budget and construction schedule were taken into consideration when creating the plans.
According to Wiedefeld, although this bridge is stunning, it will also serve as a functional bridge for a functioning city.
The entire cost of reconstruction will be covered by the federal government. A financing provision for the project was recently included in a spending measure passed by Congress.
Although it may take some time, officials have stated that they anticipate federal taxpayers will eventually be fully compensated through insurance payouts and damages. Liability assignments in what may turn out to be one of the most costly maritime catastrophes in American history will be decided by a pending civil action.
Although officials stated that a loose wire in the ship’s electrical switchboard probably contributed to its power problems, the National Transportation Safety Board has not yet issued its final report on the collapse. During a criminal investigation, federal authorities boarded the cargo ship Dali last year.