Equity
At the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), our dedication to customer service and innovation for the public good is inseparable from our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. It is central to our mission as a government agency, to ensure that each member of our community has full opportunity to thrive in our environment, for we believe that diversity is key to individual excellence and the advancement of knowledge.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)’s mission is to deliver safe, sustainable, intelligent, exceptional, and inclusive transportation solutions in order to connect our customers to life’s opportunities. One of MDTA’s core values is excellence – excellence in our people, relationships, work and environment – and we strive to reach that through our commitment to diversity and equity. By developing and nurturing diversity, we reap greater rewards of creativity, flexibility and excellence that exist in all of us.
Environment
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) have begun coordination efforts with the state and federal permitting agencies. The permitting agencies have committed to working closely with the Rebuild Team to advance permits in an expedited manner while still adhering to all permitting requirements. Environmental agencies understand the critical nature of the project and are prepared to collaborate on timely approvals.
Categorical Exclusion
On July 23, 2024, MDTA and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) received key federal environmental approvals for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. FHWA has issued a Categorical Exclusion (CE) classification and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) approval for the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild Project.
The federal agency determined that because the replacement Key Bridge will be within the former bridge’s right-of-way and have the same capacity of four travel lanes, it is not anticipated to significantly impact community, natural or cultural resources. The approval document can be viewed here. The project will have substantial positive transportation and socioeconomic impacts by restoring a critical link in the interstate system. Specifically, the Rebuild Project:
- will not induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use for the area;
- will not cause any relocations of people or businesses;
- will have no effect on travel patterns from pre-collapse conditions; and
- will not impact historic or park and recreational resources.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
MDTA is conducting Section 106 consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), a federal law governing stewardship of our nation’s cultural heritage. Section 106 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to take into consideration the effects their actions will have on historic properties. State and local projects using federal funding, or requiring federal approval or permitting, are required to comply with this process. The Federal Highway Administration has requested a Programmatic Agreement (PA) be executed for this project. The PA will include commitments to identify historic properties, evaluation of any effects to historic properties that would result from the project, and ongoing evaluation of findings as design of the new bridge advances.
For more information about Section 106 consultation for the project or the PA, please contact
Approvals and Permits
Rebuild Permit Applications
MDTA has requested a Water Quality Certification and has submitted a Joint Permit Application to authorize construction of a new bridge to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Rebuild Project will include construction of a new bridge in the Patapsco River. It will be located in the same location as the original bridge, following the existing centerline across the river. The new bridge will tie into the existing roadway on both sides of the river and will stay within MDTA’s existing right-of-way.
MDTA has submitted an amendment to the Joint Permit Application to include construction of additional temporary piles and a temporary trestle extending from the northeast and southwest shorelines along the proposed bridge alignment terminating approximately 200 feet from the federal navigation channel.
A public informational hearing was held for the temporary piles and trestle on:
Temporary Pile and Trestle Public Informational Hearing
2 December
Monday, December 2, 2024
North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department
7500 North Point
Baltimore, MD 21219
A poster session was held from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM; the public informational hearing began at 5:30 PM and ended no later than 7:30 PM.
Watch a recording of the temporary piles and trestle public informational hearing here:
View the temporary piles and trestle in the JPA Amendment Public Informational Hearing materials here:
- Public Informational Boards (English)
- Public Informational Boards (Spanish)
- Comment Form (English)
- Comment Form (Spanish)
The purpose of the public informational hearing was to provide information and answer questions on the amendment to the permit application and to provide the opportunity for members of the public to comment on the temporary pile and trestle to assist the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in making a determination on the amended application for Tidal Wetlands License.
Statements for or against the JPA Amendment to include additional temporary piles and a temporary trestle could have been presented orally at the hearing or can be submitted in writing to the:
Maryland Department of the Environment
Tidal Wetlands Division
Attn: Matt Wallach
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland, 21230
Written comments will be accepted until December 17, 2024. For more information, contact Matt Wallach at
More information on the JPA amendment can be found on MDE’s website linked below:
In addition, a copy of the JPA Amendment plans and supporting information will be housed in the following locations and will be made available upon request:
- Sollers Point Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 323 Sollers Point Rd. Dundalk MD 21222
- Enoch Pratt Free Library – Cherry Hill Branch, 606 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225
USCG Bridge Permit Application
The Maryland Transportation Authority is proposing to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge carrying I-695 over the Patapsco River and has requested a Bridge Permit to be issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The proposed fixed bridge will have a horizontal clearance of 1,100 feet and a vertical clearance of 230 feet. On November 6, 2024, the USCG published a Public Notice to solicit input from vessel owners and other interested parties on the Bridge Permit. To view the notice and download the response form please visit here. Written responses to the Public Notice are to be directed to the contact address noted in the public notice and be received by December 7, 2024.
Forms and comments are to be directed in writing to the contact below and be received by Saturday, December 7, 2024.
USCG Office of Commander
Fifth Coast Guard District
431 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004
Rebuild Permit Applications
Rebuild Permit Applications
MDTA has requested a Water Quality Certification and has submitted a Joint Permit Application to authorize construction of a new bridge to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Rebuild Project will include construction of a new bridge in the Patapsco River. It will be located in the same location as the original bridge, following the existing centerline across the river. The new bridge will tie into the existing roadway on both sides of the river and will stay within MDTA’s existing right-of-way.
A public informational hearing was scheduled for the rebuild project on:
Rebuild Permit Applications Public Informational Hearing
17 September
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Community College of Baltimore County
Dundalk Campus
7200 Sollers Point Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21222
A poster session was held from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM; the public informational hearing began at 5:30 PM and ended no later than 7:30 PM.
Watch a recording of the Rebuild Permit Applications Public Informational Hearing here:
View the Rebuild Permit Applications Public Informational Hearing materials here:
- Public informational boards {English}
- Public informational boards {Spanish}
- Comment Form {English}
- Comment Form {Spanish}
The public informational hearing did not provide information or updates on the Key Bridge Rebuild efforts. Comments were accepted on the Rebuild Permit Applications ONLY.
The purpose of the public informational hearing was to provide information and answer questions on the submitted permit applications and to provide the opportunity for members of the public to comment on the applications to assist the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in making a determination on the applications for Tidal Wetlands License and the request for Water Quality Certification.
Statements for or against this project may be presented orally at the hearing or in writing to the:
Maryland Department of the Environment
Tidal Wetlands Division
Attn: Matt Wallach
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland, 21230
Written comments will be accepted until October 1, 2024. For more information contact Matt Wallach at
More information on the permit applications can be found on MDE’s website linked below:
Demolition Permit Applications
Demolition Permit Applications
MDTA has requested a Water Quality Certification and has submitted Joint Permit Applications to authorize the demolition of the stable standing structures comprising the remaining Francis Scott Key Bridge in preparation for bridge reconstruction. The submitted Joint Permit Applications indicate that the demolition project will have temporary tidal waters impacts regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Maryland Department of the Environment. Prior to Section 404 authorization, a Water Quality Certification is required from the state to document the project does not violate state water quality standards.
A public informational hearing was scheduled for the project on:
Demolition Permit Applications Public Informational Hearing
1 August
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Baltimore County Public Library
North Point Branch
1716 Merritt Blvd.
Dundalk, MD 21222
A poster session was held from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM; the public informational hearing began at 5:30 PM and ended no later than 7:30 PM.
Watch a recording of the Demolition Permit Applications Public Informational Hearing here:
View the Demolition Permit Applications Public Informational Hearing materials here:
- Public informational boards {English}
- Public informational boards {Spanish}
- Comment Form {English}
- Comment Form {Spanish}
The public informational hearing did not provide information or updates on the Key Bridge Rebuild efforts. Comments were accepted on the Demolition Permit Applications ONLY.
The purpose of the public informational hearing was to provide information and answer questions on the submitted permit applications and to provide the opportunity for members of the public to comment on the applications to assist the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in making a determination on the applications for Tidal Wetlands License and the request for Water Quality Certification.
Statements for or against this project may be presented orally at the hearing or in writing to the:
Maryland Department of the Environment
Tidal Wetlands Division
Attn: Matt Wallach
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland, 21230
Written comments will be accepted until August 15, 2024. For more information contact Matt Wallach at
More information on the permit applications can be found on MDE’s website linked below: