Demolition is underway on the remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed in March 2024 after being struck by a cargo ship. Six workers were killed in the incident. Crews are cutting the concrete deck into 6-foot sections and removing debris to clear the site for a replacement bridge.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is leading the $2 billion project. The new cable-stayed bridge will be constructed 260 feet east of the original alignment, allowing simultaneous demolition and construction. Foundation testing will begin this year, using 8-foot-wide custom steel piles fabricated in Texas and transported by barge to Maryland.
The new span will be 1,665 feet across the shipping channel, 50 feet taller than the original, and provide a 230-foot vertical clearance for larger vessels serving the Port of Baltimore. It will include four lanes with inside and outside shoulders in each direction. Protective structures compliant with AASHTO standards will be installed to safeguard the piers from ship strikes.
Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2028. The project is currently undergoing a cost review to account for tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and inflation.