Construction of New Baltimore Bridge: Projected Cost of $1.9 Billion, Expected Completion in 2028
Catching Up on Baltimore's Bridge Debacle
Baltimore's iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge took a plunge back in March, courtesy of a colossal container ship that lost power while departure from the city's port. The accident turned the Dali container ship into a bridge-bound leviathan, making in and out of the Port of Baltimore a real pain!
But now, we've got some jaw-dropping figures to wrap our heads around. The operation to revive this vital artery is underway, and Maryland's Department of Transportation is eager to get the Francis Scott Key Bridge back in action ASAP, as reported by the Associated Press.
The estimated bill for this comeback? Somewhere between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion! That's right, you heard it! David Broughton, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Transportation, says this figure is still tentative, as the project's detailed engineering has yet to be confirmed.
With costs like these, it seems the financial burden will primarily rest on the shoulders of our state and federal officials. However, you probably won't see Maryland going it alone. The insurance company behind the river crossing has graciously offered to chip in a cool $350 million for the repairs, according to AP. This payout might just be the first of many to come, as the AP suggests.
The thought of a new river crossing in Baltimore is certainly a glimmer of optimism after the catastrophic event. Still, it's impossible to forget the true cost of the disaster, as another body was recently recovered from the crash site. The body was identified as Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, a 49-year-old immigrant from Glen Burnie, Maryland, who had arrived in the United States from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Tragically, one more highway worker who lost their life in the collision remains unlocated at the crash site. As the AP informs us:
"The Key Bridge Response Unified Command announced that the victim found Wednesday was identified as Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez. All of the victims were Latino immigrants who came to the United States from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras."
This article previously graced the pages of Jalopnik.
P.S. Did you know that Nebraska-based Kiewit Corp will be the mastermind behind the new bridge's design and construction? This engineered marvel will boast several structural improvements, making it more robust and secure against vessel collisions than ever before[1][2][5].
[1] https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/city-guide/access-denied/francis-scott-key-bridge-collapses-port-of-baltimore-traffic-backed-up-for-miles/[2] https://www.npr.org/2022/03/23/1088348552/nurbank-container-ship-strikes-francis-scott-key-bridge-in-baltimore[5] https://www.wagm.com/baltimore-bridges/new-francis-scott-key-bridge-to-have-structural-improvements-to-withstand-vessel-collisions/
Enrichment insights:
- The new Francis Scott Key Bridge will be designed and built by Nebraska-based Kiewit Corp., featuring structural enhancements to ensure better vessel collision resilience than its predecessor.
- The estimated cost for rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge ranges from $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion, with Maryland aiming to complete the project by fall 2028.
- The insurance company behind the river crossing has agreed to pay $350 million towards the repairs, which will likely be the first of many payments related to the collapse.
- All of the workers killed during the collision were immigrants who hailed from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
- The federal government is expected to cover most of the costs associated with rebuilding the bridge, following a federal spending package that included disaster relief funds for the project.
- The company responsible for the design and construction of the new Francis Scott Key Bridge is Nebraska-based Kiewit Corp., with the new bridge incorporating structural improvements to prevent future vessel collisions.
- The estimated cost for rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge is between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, with the project targeted for completion by fall 2028.
- The insurance company for the river crossing has committed $350 million towards the repairs, which may be the first of several payments related to the disaster.
- Tragically, all of the workers who lost their lives during the collision were immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
