The Brief

- Maryland Governor Wes Moore unveiled the new design concept for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild on Tuesday.

Moore unveils bridge design

Moore said that the new design honors the architectural tradition of the original bridge and will also be Maryland's first highway cable-stayed bridge.

Moore added that the new bridge would be constructed according to improved industry standards and infrastructure design practices. Construction could be completed in 2028 and cost more than $1.7 billion.

Tragic bridge collapse

On March 26, 2024, a massive container ship lost power and crashed into one of the supporting columns of the original bridge, leading to its collapse. The tragic incident claimed the lives of six construction workers who were filling potholes when the structure gave way.

The collapse caused Baltimore’s port to shut down for several months, significantly impacting the local economy and creating increased traffic congestion that continues to affect drivers across the region.

When the original bridge opened to traffic in 1977, it connected communities around Baltimore by and served as the final link of Interstate 695, known locally as the Baltimore Beltway. The outer crossing of the Baltimore Harbor allowed drivers to easily bypass downtown.

New Key Bridge features