Federal Approval for Francis Scott Key Bridge Reconstruction in Maryland

BALTIMORE – The Federal Highway Administration has approved the Maryland Transportation Authority's plan for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, expediting the environmental review process. The decision was facilitated by the absence of significant changes in the project, such as lane expansions or relocations, allowing for a quicker federal response. "What this really does is it shortens that process because we didn't look at alternatives," said Gartner, highlighting the streamlined approach. In contrast, the Bay Bridge in Annapolis is undergoing a more extensive environmental review due to proposed major structural changes, which is expected to continue into the fall. The recent approval for the Key Bridge falls under a Categorical Exclusion (CE), aligning with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as the new bridge will be built within the existing right-of-way and will not increase capacity. "We are grateful that we now have progress when it comes to the environmental evaluation," stated Moore, emphasizing the importance of moving forward swiftly. The reconstruction will replicate the original structure that collapsed in the Patapsco River. The Maryland Transportation Authority plans to engage with the community to address their needs during the design phase. Additionally, the MDTA is seeking engineering consultant teams for a $75 million contract related to the project. The total estimated cost for rebuilding the Key Bridge is $1.7 billion, with 90% expected to be funded by the federal government. While some lawmakers advocate for full emergency funding, others, like Senator Shelley Moore Capito, suggest that Maryland should cover part of the costs through tolls. Currently, the MDTA is utilizing Federal Emergency Relief funds and insurance proceeds for initial project steps.