The Maryland Transportation Authority announced three $20 million contracts for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild project last week. The cargo ship Dali hit the bridge almost a year ago in March 2024, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River and killing six construction workers.

These contractors will serve as construction management and inspection services consultants, per MDTA’s release:

• A joint venture of Babylon, New York-based Greenman-Pedersen and Gannett Fleming of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. 
• A joint venture of Pittsburgh-based Michael Baker International and New York City-headquartered STV. 
• Long Beach, California-based AECOM Technical Services.

The teams will serve as MDTA’s construction representative for the rebuild and will work with its general engineering consultant, Bridging Maryland Partnership, a joint venture composed of WSP, RK&K and JMT, as well as the progressive design-builder, Omaha, Nebraska-based Kiewit. 

Services the contractors will perform may include undertaking constructability reviews, conducting detailed inspections of all construction work such as erosion and sediment control compliance, maintenance of traffic, materials testing, scheduling and document control, according to the release. They may also assist MDTA’s compliance officers in monitoring and enforcing its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals.

Design unveiled

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the MDTA unveiled the proposed design for the new Key Bridge on Feb. 4, which will be built along the same path as the original. It will visually mimic the original bridge’s architecture and also includes structural improvements.

“Today, we take an important step toward recovering from the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that has affected not just Maryland’s economy, but the nation’s economy,” said Moore in the release. “While we mark the unveiling of the new bridge design, we continue to honor the six Marylanders who lost their lives while serving our state and their families who carry their legacy forward.”

Compared to the old bridge, the cable stay design of the new span will allow the federal shipping channel to expand from 700 feet to 1,000 feet, CBS News reported, and the base of the bridge will be raised an additional 45 feet to accommodate marine traffic. The roadway will still consist of two lanes in each direction, but additional pier supports will secure the structure.

Next, the bridge must achieve final design and regulatory approvals before construction can begin, according to the release. Preconstruction work started in January and demolition of the old bridge is slated to begin in the spring.