All articles tagged with #key bridge
Maryland officials will not retain Kiewit Infrastructure Co. for the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction after its second-phase cost proposal greatly exceeded the state’s estimates (about $4.3–$5.2 billion); Kiewit will complete Phase 1, a new contractor will be sought for Phase 2, and federal funding will cover the replacement cost.
Maryland canceled its Phase 2 contract with Kiewit for the Francis Scott Key Bridge after bids exceeded state estimates, forcing a rebid as costs balloon from about $1.8B to over $5B; Gov. Wes Moore defends a fast, safe rebuild while USDOT emphasizes taxpayer protections and oversight, with MDTA planning an industry forum to select a new contractor and Phase 1 work continuing.
Maryland has terminated its contract with Kiewit to design and build the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild, citing cost projections that exceed state estimates. The state will seek a new builder in the open market, a move that could push the bridge’s opening beyond 2030. The project’s cost outlook has grown to roughly $4.3–$5.2 billion; officials say the gulf in negotiations made continuing with Kiewit impractical, though the company will complete certain already-committed work through year-end. Gov. Moore and Transportation Secretary Duffy framed the decision as prudent for taxpayers and competition. Kiewit has been paid over $700 million for design and early construction plus about $500 million for construction to date, with a timeline to hire a new builder to be set at an upcoming industry forum.
Maryland reached a settlement with the owner and operator of the container ship Dali over claims related to the 2024 collision that damaged the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore; terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
A cargo ship hauling coal, the W-Sapphire, caught fire and exploded near Baltimore's Key Bridge, prompting a Coast Guard response. The fire has been contained, and the ship was assisted back to port with no injuries reported. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion and seeing a plume of smoke, with the incident occurring near the site of the recent Key Bridge collapse. The cause of the explosion is unknown, and authorities are investigating.
Maryland officials are seeking private industry proposals to design and build a replacement for the Key Bridge by October 2028, following its collapse due to a cargo ship accident. The new bridge must be visually attractive, minimize piers in the Patapsco River, and include advanced vessel collision protection. The project, estimated to cost $1.7 to $1.9 billion, aims to alleviate local commute congestion and support the regional economy. Federal funding and bipartisan cooperation are crucial for the project's success.
A cruise ship has departed from the Baltimore port for the first time since the collapse of the Key Bridge, marking a significant milestone in the port's recovery and resumption of operations.
Years before a cargo ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, mariners had warned that the bridge was vulnerable to ship collisions, predicting potential power losses and out-of-control vessels causing a bridge collapse.
The body of Carlos Daniel Hernández, a construction worker killed in the Key Bridge collapse, was recovered from the Patapsco River, making him the fourth victim to be found. Maryland officials are prioritizing the return of the victims' bodies and seeking federal funding to rebuild the bridge. Mexican officials are providing support to Hernández's family and other Mexican nationals affected by the tragedy. Lawmakers are working on legislation to cover the full cost of rebuilding the bridge, while the FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the crash.
Crews are working tirelessly to clear the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Port of Baltimore, a task made even more challenging by the sheer size of the pieces involved. The operation involves divers surveying the wreckage, cutting the trusses into manageable sizes, and using one of the largest floating cranes on the East Coast to hoist the massive chunks out of the water. The cleanup is a round-the-clock operation, with the goal of reopening the port by the end of May, and local companies are helping recycle the debris. The FBI has opened a criminal probe into the disaster, and there is immense pressure to get the waterway open due to its impact on the economy.
A fourth body has been recovered from the site of the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, with salvage teams locating one of the missing construction vehicles and a deceased victim trapped inside. Two workers are still missing and presumed dead. Maryland officials and leaders have expressed condolences and support for the affected families, with Gov. Wes Moore set to hold a press conference to discuss the latest developments in the recovery mission.
A fourth body has been recovered from the Key Bridge collapse site in Baltimore, with officials identifying the victim found trapped inside a construction vehicle. The recovery operation continues as authorities work to retrieve the bodies of the six construction workers who died in the collapse on March 26, with three victims already identified. The Maryland State Police, FBI, and Maryland Transportation Authority Police are involved in the ongoing efforts, and the names of the victims have been released.
Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point, Maryland, has been tasked with processing the 50,000 tons of steel wreckage from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge for recycling. The salvage operation involves cutting the bridge into manageable pieces, which are then transported to a recycling center. The process is part of a larger effort to clear the Patapsco River of debris and refloat the cargo ship that caused the wreckage, with authorities aiming to open limited access channels by the end of April and fully reopen the federal channel by the end of May.
An intelligence report obtained by ABC News warns that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has reduced the resiliency of US port and shipping operations, potentially creating opportunities for foreign adversary exploitation. The collapse has rerouted $80 million in maritime cargo and trucking, impacting the flow of goods and resulting in thousands of job losses. While there are no significant impacts on customs enforcement so far, the report cautions that U.S. adversaries could exploit any logistical setbacks resulting from the bridge collapse. President Joe Biden has pledged full federal support for the bridge's reconstruction.
Salvage operations continue on the collapsed Key Bridge in Baltimore as dozens of containers are being removed from the cargo ship Dali to free it, with the aim to reopen the main shipping channel by the end of May. Recovery efforts also continue at the site, with the priority being the safe and efficient removal of debris and wreckage from the federal channel and waterway, while funeral services will be held for two of the construction workers who died in the bridge collapse.