The MDTA and the Progressive Design-Builder are working to refine the cable-stayed bridge design and schedule. A more firm estimate of the schedule is anticipated to be available later this year. We remain committed to pursuing all available options to ensure the Key Bridge is rebuilt with safety, economic vitality, and sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars being top of mind.

Pre-construction began in January 2025 and construction is expected to begin in late 2025 with production pile installation.

The State of Maryland continues to pursue the DALI’s owner and manager for all of the damages caused by their negligence and incompetence – including the cost to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge – so that the parties responsible for this tragedy pay for the damages they caused.   The American Relief Act, 2025, provides that if any additional funds are required to build the new bridge beyond the compensation paid by the DALI, the federal government will provide that funding.

A final price estimate for the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement is not available until the design reaches 70 percent completion and the state negotiates a final guaranteed maximum price with its current contractor. We anticipate that process to be finalized later this year. We remain committed to pursuing all available options to ensure the Key Bridge is rebuilt with safety, economic vitality, and sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars being top of mind.

The bridge piers will be protected by pier protection structures, which will be designed per the latest American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications and follow best practices for modern vessel collision protection. Additionally, the main span length of the bridge has been increased to provide additional clearance from the shipping channel.

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While the demolition and rebuild process may have some impact, as noted above, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) determined that the replacement Key Bridge will have limited environmental impacts, as it stays within MDTA’s right-of-way and maintains the same four-lane capacity.

Yes, there will be a memorial for the original Francis Scott Key Bridge and the six workers who lost their lives. Formal plans have not been finalized.

The MDTA collaborates closely with state and local partners to minimize impacts on the Patapsco River and surrounding communities. Boat traffic is limited to old main span piers, including the navigational channel and the 150-foot buffer areas on either side of the channel near the construction site. Fort Armistead Park and Bear Creek access will remain open through construction of the new bridge. Waterway users need to slow down and use caution while transitioning through the permissible areas. A 6-knot speed zone has been implemented by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources extends 1,500 feet upstream of the old bridge and 1,500 feet downstream of the new bridge, excluding the navigation channel. The U.S. Coast Guard-enforced Temporary Safety Zones (TSZs) or Exclusion Zones are similar but defined by white buoys and based on active work. The TSZs will be in place for the duration of the demolition and rebuild processes.

Demolition of the remaining Key Bridge structures—both on land and over water—started in summer 2025. Heavy machinery was used throughout the process, which did not involve controlled detonations.

Work included the removal of the deck, barriers, and parapets over the river from both Hawkins Point and Sollers Point. Crews will then remove the girders, and piers on the landside approaches, down to just below ground level, at both locations. The final step will be the removal of the original north and south abutments.