Unveiled: Exciting new design concept for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild
On February 4, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Transportation unveiled the new design concept for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild, offering a fresh vision for one of Baltimore’s most iconic transportation landmarks. The event marks a significant milestone in the multi-year project, aiming to restore the connection to the community for future generations and improve both accessibility and economic growth.
“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 Gov. Moore. “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. Together, we will show the world what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.”
Moore was joined in Baltimore by Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller, Congresswoman Sarah K. Elfreth, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Katherine A. Klausmeier, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs Special Secretary Y. Maria Martinez, Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Bruce Gartner, Federal Highway Administration Maryland Division Administrator Valeriya Remezova, and Maryland Motor Truck Association Executive Vice President Armand Patella for the announcement.
“From the tragic early morning hours of March 26, to the coordinated recovery efforts that followed, our state has persevered with Maryland toughness and Baltimore strength,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna K. Miller.”And today, we stand near the banks of the Patapsco River taking the next step in our rebuild: unveiling plans for a pillar of engineering and transportation brilliance that will stand watch over the harbor, connecting Marylanders to opportunities and welcoming commerce into our port.”
The Key Bridge connected thousands of Maryland commuters and commercial vehicles daily, serving a vital role in linking the state. To swiftly restore access, the Maryland Transportation Authority, the progressive design-builder, and the general engineering consultant partnered to finalize the new design and complete critical pre-construction assessments in January 2025.
The State of Maryland continues to pursue the DALI’s owner and manager for all of the damages caused by their negligence—including the cost to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge—so that the parties responsible for the tragedy pay for the damages they caused. Last year, Congress passed the American Relief Act—thanks in large part to the advocacy of the Moore-Miller Administration and Maryland’s Congressional Delegation—which provides 100% federal funding subject to any compensation paid by the DALI.
“With the backing of federal funding, we are moving full steam ahead with the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for the good of all Marylanders, the Port of Baltimore, and the many jobs here,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “We worked as Team Maryland to reach this major milestone, uniting to ensure our state has the resources it needs to move forward with a cost-effective and efficient reconstruction plan. And today, we mark the next key step in that comeback with the unveiling of the bridge design. As we near the one-year mark since the tragic collapse of the Key Bridge, Baltimore and Maryland are poised to rebuild stronger than ever.”
With the new design concept, the project will move forward with final design and regulatory approvals before initiating construction. To ensure transparency and community engagement, the project team has connected with thousands of Marylanders through forums and community updates and will continue to gather the public’s preferences on the non-structural design elements—ensuring that the bridge resonates with Marylanders.
The governor also announced investments to strengthen the Port of Baltimore’s dominance on the East Coast. As part of the governor’s 2025 legislative agenda, the state would invest $15 million in the Tradepoint Atlantic’s Terminal Container Project, increasing container capacity by 70%, generating more than $1 billion in private sector investment, and producing more than 8,000 new jobs for Marylanders.
For more on the exciting new concept design for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild, see the video below.
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(Source: Office of the Maryland Governor)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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