(The Center Square) – Maryland is moving ahead with the next major piece of the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild as the project’s price tag has climbed to as much as $5.2 billion.
Contractors have until Aug. 19 to submit qualifications for work on the bridge’s main span and approaches over the Patapsco River.
The Maryland Transportation Authority will narrow the field before asking selected teams for detailed construction and price proposals.
The new bidding process follows the state’s decision in April not to keep Kiewit Infrastructure Co. for the next phase of the rebuild.
MDTA said Kiewit’s proposed price for that work came in above the state’s own estimates. Kiewit is continuing work already covered under its existing contract while Maryland moves ahead with later phases.
Plans call for a 1,665-foot cable-stayed main span with 230 feet of clearance over the federal navigation channel. The project also includes approaches over the river and added protection around the bridge piers against ship strikes.
The full replacement is now expected to cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion and open in late 2030.
Maryland initially estimated the replacement would cost roughly $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion and open in 2028.
The higher cost has also brought more attention from Washington.
Congress authorized a 100% federal share for the bridge replacement under the American Relief Act. Maryland is also contributing insurance proceeds, while money recovered from parties connected to the collapse will reduce the amount ultimately drawn from federal funds.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has questioned Maryland officials about the rising cost and longer timeline.
Duffy and Gov. Wes Moore said after a January meeting that they had made progress on cost sharing for the project, but they did not say how those costs would be divided.
Federal lawmakers toured the construction site last month, with Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., saying the project needs to keep moving while being rebuilt as safely and cost-effectively as possible.
Construction is continuing while Maryland moves through the new contracting process.
