As the Key Bridge Rebuild effort is under active development, please continue to check back as new questions will continue to be added based on your feedback and as the project progresses.

Environment

Will there be visual impacts from a taller and wider bridge?

While the replacement bridge will be taller and wider than the former Key Bridge, that bridge was also a large structure and the second longest bridge in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Therefore, the visual impacts of the new structure are consistent with the previous visual landscape and are not expected to be significant.


What is a Joint Permit Application (JPA) and why have applications been submitted for the Francis Scott Key (FSK) Bridge?

A JPA is Maryland’s streamlined process for securing authorization to conduct construction activities that may impact wetlands, waterways, and 100-year floodplains from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). MDE regulates activities that may affect wetlands, wetland buffers, waterways, and 100-year floodplains. The Corps regulates activities that may affect Waters of the U.S. which include streams and some wetlands. Authorization in the form of permits or licenses are required before any impacts to regulated resources can occur.

MDTA’s Francis Scott Key (FSK) Bridge permit applications include construction activities necessary to entirely rebuild the FSK Bridge. MDTA’s rebuild permit applications request authorization for unavoidable impacts to resources that would result from the rebuild of the new FSK Bridge, including permanent and temporary impacts to nontidal wetlands, nontidal wetland buffers, nontidal streams, and the Patapsco River.


What is a Water Quality Certification?

A Water Quality Certification is an authorization required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act for projects that require federal permits. By issuing a Water Quality Certification, a state indicates that a project will not violate the water quality standards of the state. FSK Bridge demolition and rebuild activities require Water Quality Certification.


What is the MDE Public Informational Hearing?

The MDE Public Informational Hearing is an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the permit application being considered by MDE and provide comments. Comments in opposition and in favor of permit issuance may be provided and will be considered by MDE when making a permit decision. Comments on the permit may also be provided to MDE in writing.

The Maryland Department of the Environment MDE is required to provide the opportunity for the public to provide input on the permit decisions they are considering through a public notice and comments period. Any member of the public may request a public hearing on the application during the public comment period. When an applicant believes that a public hearing will be requested by the public, the applicant can plan to hold the hearing during the comment period.


Why is a Categorical Exclusion (CE) needed for the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), conducted a NEPA study for the Francis Scott Key (FSK) Bridge project which qualifies as a CE due to its emergency status and because the rebuild will stay within the existing area of the former bridge. The project does not involve adding new travel lanes but includes necessary updates to meet current roadway and bridge design and safety standards.

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. View the approval document.


What is a Categorical Exclusion?

CEs are specific actions that are deemed not to have significant environmental impacts. These actions:

  1. Do not significantly alter planned growth or land use in the area.
  2. Do not require the relocation of many people.
  3. Do not significantly affect natural, cultural, recreational, or historic resources.
  4. Do not cause major changes to air, noise, or water quality.
  5. Do not significantly alter travel patterns.

For a project to be classified as a CE, it must not have any unusual circumstances that could lead to significant environmental impacts.