Maryland officials stand by the $5.2 billion Key Bridge replacement estimate

Cost debate opens in Maryland

Maryland transportation officials still defend a $5.2 billion projection for replacing the Francis Scott Key Bridge, even as some estimates have pointed toward higher figures during legislative review.

The number frames a legislative review, as lawmakers question whether Maryland can keep the rebuild near its projection without shifting costs onto drivers through tolls during replacement planning.

Early estimate started lower

Officials first placed replacement costs near $1.7 billion shortly after the 2024 bridge failure, using an emergency figure before detailed design work and final engineering details moved forward.

Bruce Gartner said that the early number reflected the older 1970s-era span, not completed plans for a future cable-stayed bridge or modern construction requirements developed through current design reviews.

Officials explain their review

Transportation Secretary Kathryn Thomson said Maryland worked with independent cost estimators, the Federal Highway Administration, and internal analysts before releasing its November report on replacement costs for review.

That review covered remaining removal work and reconstruction, giving transportation officials a stronger basis for the $5.2 billion figure they still call their best estimate during public legislative questioning.

Lawmakers press for clarity

Delegate Ryan Nawrocki said he felt deeply concerned about costs, asking whether the project stood near $5 billion, $7 billion, or $9 billion at a committee briefing with officials.

His questions also focused on federal support, since a higher price could test whether Washington would still reimburse Maryland for the full replacement bill under the current funding pledge.

Thomson rejects higher figures

Thomson pushed back against larger numbers, saying those estimates were not Maryland’s figures and would never become the state’s official position during review as lawmakers sought public answers.

She placed the project near $5 billion, while officials keep testing assumptions, reviewing pressure points, and revisiting analysis as cost talks continue with contractors and federal partners involved.

The bridge failure changed plans

The Dali left the Port of Baltimore early on March 26, 2024, then lost power soon after beginning its harbor route before dawn on its planned outbound trip.

The 984-foot container ship drifted toward the Key Bridge and made contact with a pier, sending much of the span into the Patapsco River during the early-morning incident.

Fun fact: Maryland became the first state to adopt an official sport, naming jousting as its state sport in 1962 by law.

The port faced weeks of disruption

The fallen span blocked the shipping channel, leaving the Dali under bridge decking and closing the Port of Baltimore for several weeks during cleanup, salvage, and recovery operations.

State, federal, and private teams removed 50,000 tons of steel and concrete, clearing the channel so port traffic could move again after the operation restored access for commercial vessels.

Little-known fact: Maryland’s State House is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use, a rare distinction for Annapolis and Maryland.

Investigators point to power issue

The National Transportation Safety Board said a power outage tied to a loose wire caused the bridge failure, according to its November report on the incident following its investigation.

The agency also criticized the infrastructure protecting the span, pointing to weak safeguards around a crossing that carried traffic above a busy shipping route near Baltimore’s port each day.

Kiewit began early bridge work

Maryland hired Kiewit Infrastructure Company in 2024 to design and plan the replacement, giving the firm an early role before major construction on the future bridge moved forward.

As part of that work, Kiewit began placing pilings in the Patapsco River, creating support points needed before vertical construction begins above the water in later project stages.

Negotiations break down over price

Kiewit held the first chance to negotiate phase two construction, but three weeks of talks stalled over what Thomson called an unacceptably high bid for the work package.

State officials have not disclosed the company’s requested amount, citing confidential negotiations, though some estimates placed the figure as high as $9 billion during the public pricing dispute.

Kiewit work continues through December

Maryland is ending Kiewit’s current role, but the firm will continue placing piles through December 2026 as the state prepares new bidding for the remaining bridge project work.

By April, crews had placed about 30 of nearly 1,000 required pilings, and Maryland will pay Kiewit $700 million for its work under the current project phase agreement.

Funding picture remains steady

Officials said costs so far came from insurance money and an early federal release, while future toll adjustments would not stem directly from bridge needs or project gaps.

Maryland still expects full federal reimbursement for the replacement, and transportation leaders said planned 2027 toll changes would reflect broader system needs across authority facilities, not bridge costs.

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Settlement adds another piece

The Office of the Attorney General discussed bridge-related lawsuits, including a $2.25 billion settlement with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. over the Dali case.

That agreement resolves state claims against the Dali’s owner and operator, while Maryland could still pursue damages from Hyundai Heavy Industries, the vessel’s builder, through separate legal action.

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What stands out more in Maryland, the $5.2 billion Key Bridge estimate, questions over higher costs, or the debate over funding? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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