Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDTA) have unveiled the new design concept for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild.
The Key Bridge connected thousands of Maryland commuters and commercial vehicles daily, serving a vital role in linking the state. To restore access, the MDTA, the progressive design-builder and the general engineering consultant partnered to finalize the new design and complete pre-construction assessments last month.
Current plans make it Maryland’s first cable-stayed bridge with two travel lanes in each direction and an increased height from 185 feet to 230 feet.
Gov. Moore spoke about the importance of rebuilding the structure swiftly and doing so with grace to the tragedy.
“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,” he said. “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.”
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.
“The design is optimized to meet the needs of the region by supporting growth at the Port of Baltimore and reconnecting communities,” said Paul J. Wiedefeld, MDTA secretary and Maryland Transportation Authority Board chairman, in a statement. “Residents, commuters and businesses are relying on us to make the Baltimore Beltway whole as quickly as possible.”
The governor also announced investments to strengthen the Port of Baltimore 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%.
Source: The Office of the Governor of Maryland, WBALTV.com
