BALTIMORE — It will be more than four years before a Francis Scott Key Bridge the replacement re-connects I-695 over Baltimore Harbor, but by this summer the state is expected to identify its builder.
During a two-hour virtual forum Tuesday, potential consultants, contractors and subcontractors posed questions to Maryland Transportation Authority officials about the new bridge, which is expected to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion and be completed by fall 2028.
When asked if state leaders would hold site visits or one-on-one meetings with interested companies, transportation authority officials said that was “not planned” due to the need to ‘a quick schedule. It’s an “aggressive rebuilding schedule,” said Brian Wolfe, the authority’s project development director.
A “Request for Proposals” (RFP) will be released later this month. Transportation officials said four to six weeks later, one or more entities will be selected to build the new bridge.
Democratic President Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election, has promised that the federal government will pay for the new term. Asked by one of the forum participants whether private funding would finance the construction of the bridge, James Harkness, the transport authority’s chief engineer, said no. “All funding for this project will be federal dollars or tolls,” he said.
“We are looking for a team that effectively manages costs, provides transparency in financial transactions and adheres to negotiated budgets,” Harkness said. “Additionally, the bridge design is expected to minimize environmental impacts on the Patapsco River and enhance the visual landscape, serving as a welcoming gateway to the City and Port of Baltimore.” »
He added that the bridge is expected to have a lifespan of more than 75 years.
The Dali, a huge cargo ship, appeared to lose power in the early hours of March 26, hitting one of the ancient bridge’s pillars and overturning it, killing six construction workers. On Tuesday, when the body of José Mynor López was located and identified, the remains of the six were recovered.
More than 50,000 short tons of steel and concrete fell into the river. Crews worked to clear debris and reopen the deep-water shipping channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of May. The Dali remains stuck in the river bed, but next week, crews plan to use explosives to remove much of the bridge of the arc.
As all of this happens, companies will submit proposals to design and build a replacement bridge.
Certain aspects of the new span have been determined: for example, it will be located in approximately the same location.
“A new structure will be built along the existing centerline of the original bridge. It’s about minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment,” Wolfe said.
However, its height has not yet been decided. The clearance height of the old bridge was 185 feet, approximately the height of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge,…
