Program Description
The original Francis Scott Key Bridge was a 1.7-mile-long bridge forming the critical southeastern section of the Baltimore Beltway. It spanned the navigable Patapsco River to provide a vital connection to the Port of Baltimore. The Key Bridge Rebuild (KBR) Project Team was tasked with removing the existing portions of the bridge structure that were still standing and replacing the old bridge and its approaches using a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) process. This process includes two phases: Project Development and Project Delivery, and it is anticipated to be fully completed and open to traffic in mid-2029.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is utilizing General Engineering Consultant (GEC) services to provide overall project management for the Key Bridge Rebuild, including the review of the planning and engineering activities completed by the PDB team. The GEC will also provide leadership and direction for the Construction Management and Inspection (CMI) services that are being provided by three CMI teams engaged for this project.
The MDTA is offering internships to support MDTA’s KBR staff, which includes working with the GEC and CMI in completing project management, project development, project delivery, compliance, and oversight activities for the project. Internship assignments will vary, with individual and group assignments, in both the office and field, working with the MDTA employees as well as with GEC and CMI staff. In addition to the daily duties assigned to the interns, participants will have the opportunity to complete a tour of the project to view and discuss activities underway during the session.
Community outreach is critical on all projects and will be ongoing throughout the life of the KBR project. Interns will have the opportunity to support pop-up community outreach events for the Key Bridge and the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge (Bay Bridge) projects. These opportunities will provide the interns with an understanding of how projects affect communities, strengthen communication skills, and help them recognize their professional responsibility to the public in their work. These events generally occur during the weekend and are a paid opportunity. Additional information will become available during the internship.
Compensation: Interns will be temporary State employees, with an hourly rate based upon completed eligible credits. Rates will vary from $20.16 hourly to $24.49 hourly.
Start/End Date: June 1, 2026 through August 21, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
The MDTA Key Bridge Rebuild Internship Program is now accepting applications for summer 2026.
- The last day to submit an application for our internship program will be January 31, 2026.
- Must be available for this full-time temporary position from June 1, 2026, through August 21, 2026.
- Must be enrolled one of the following universities:
- University of Maryland, College Park) UMCP)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Morgan State University (MSU)
- Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
- Must be enrolled in one or more of eligible majors.
- Must be enrolled an undergraduate or graduate during the program.
- Must have a GPA 2.7 or above and be in good academic standing.
- Must be able to arrange own transportation to the project office/site.
What we’re looking for
Have this information ready before starting to complete this application. No hardcopy or emailed applications will be accepted. The online application includes the following elements to be completed online in one sitting:
- Personal Information
- School Status and Work Eligibility
- Two References (school or business)
- Please have the following ready to upload:
- A PDF of your current and next semester courses (if available)
- A PDF of your unofficial transcript for all coursework (undergraduate and graduate)
- A PDF of your Resume
Responses to these five questions:
- Please provide a Personal Statement describing your reasons for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives, why you are interested in an internship with the Key Bridge Rebuild project and the unique ways you can contribute to the intern program.
- What is your focus or interest area within your major?
- What software have you used in your coursework or prior internships?
- What has been your favorite class to date and why? What has been your least favorite class to date and why?
- Which courses have you completed that are pertinent to the internship opportunities offered in this program? (For example, courses in engineering or technology, environmental business management, information technology, communications, etc.)
Potential Assignments or Activities During the Program
The overall project management will be completed by the GEC, acting as MDTA’s engineer and representative in the rebuilding effort. This will include planning, engineering, construction management, and program support services to reconstruct the collapsed Key Bridge.
Job Duties
The intern will support the GEC project management team in the areas of responsibilities described above. Assignments may include reviewing estimates and design submittals, assisting with permitting, attending meetings, supporting document management, and providing project management support to the engineers.
Construction Management and Inspection for the Key Bridge Rebuild will be completed by several CMI teams procured by MDTA. Their responsibilities will include providing construction management and inspection activities throughout the construction of the project.
Job Duties
During CMI assignments, the intern may serve as a construction inspector, supporting the CMI teams with their construction inspection responsibilities. The intern will inspect project elements and activities to ensure compliance with contract specifications. Duties may also include performing basic tests on soils and materials, participating in a survey crew, interpreting contract specifications and plans, calculating quantities for completed work, completing Inspector Daily Reports (IDR), and collecting and recording data as needed. The intern may also attend meetings and prepare minutes, charts, tables, and graphs for use in reports to properly document construction projects.
For environmental support assignment, interns will work with MDTA and the GEC team providing support for the responsibilities described above. Specific activities may involve field reviews of the PDB team’s activities to protect environmental resources on land as well as within and including the Chesapeake Bay. The intern may review submittals resulting from sampling or field surveys of environmental resources and conditions before, during, or after activities are completed or underway, such as reports or databases developed with spatial data in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework.
The Key Bridge Rebuild project provides significant and ongoing community outreach. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in or provide support for project outreach activities and events, including the development and distribution of materials and attendance; project website development, management, updates, or monitoring; data collection, tracking, and management for feedback and approvals; document management and control; and administrative support, including the development and review of correspondence, presentations, briefs, minutes, and scheduling.
Working conditions vary depending on assignments and may be performed in the office or in the field, with exposure to varying weather conditions and rough terrain. The role requires walking, standing, bending, and lifting loads weighing up to 40 lbs. This position may also require working nights and weekends. Additionally, the work may involve being on barges or structures over the river, as well as being in close proximity to traffic or construction equipment.
Local Travel Required/Reliable Vehicle Required: This position will involve tasks in the field or office related to the Key Bridge construction project. The intern must have a reliable vehicle to travel between the field office and task sites throughout the day and ensure safe access to and from these locations.
Locations vary based upon assignment.
- MDTA location on Broening Highway
- Project Office, Hanover MD
- Key Bridge Rebuild Site
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