The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland collapsed in 2024.
No one has rebuilt the bridge yet despite Gov. Wes Moore’s describing the project as “the nation’s ‘fastest-moving’ large infrastructure effort.”
Plans hit a major snag on Tuesday when Maryland officials “canceled a key construction contract.”
From The Baltimore Sun:
The decision to off-ramp contractor Kiewit Infrastructure Co. from the project’s critical second phase came after its proposals “far exceeded” state estimates, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The move forces Maryland back into the market for a new builder at a pivotal moment, as project costs have surged from roughly $1.8 billion to more than $5.2 billion. It transforms what Moore has framed as a model of speed into a high-stakes test of the administration’s ability to manage one of the most expensive and politically scrutinized infrastructure projects in the country.
The second phase centers around the bridge’s “design, driving steel piles into the Patapsco River, and beginning construction of the roadway approaches and spans.”
Maryland transportation officials claimed the move protected taxpayers and kept the state on course.
“As we prepare to enter Phase 2 of construction, our team approached negotiations with our contractor with clear eyes and firm imperatives,” stated Moore. “But after weeks of engagement, it became evident that the contractor’s proposed price and timeline for moving forward was unreasonably high and therefore unacceptable.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy continues to criticize the project over the money, delays, and the need for federal oversight.
“The Trump Administration is always working to secure the best possible team for hardworking American taxpayers,” boasted Duffy. “It’s my job to ensure the American people’s tax dollars are used efficiently and that major projects are completed on time and on budget.”
The criticism began in September when Duffy expressed his concerns over the budget and timing.
In October, Duffy told Fox Baltimore he had problems with “Maryland’s approach to diversity hiring, particularly regarding race- and sex-based contractor selection. Duffy’s concerns echoed a continued broader national debate over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) requirements in public projects.”
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
So DEI is in the wood pile somewhere.
Methinks an Ethiopian is in the fuel supply.
More likely a Somali.
In other words, termites.
“Look, we still have to make up for lost USAID funding somewhere.”
DJT should sign EO to redesignate Key Bridge as state highway and have Duffy pull all fed funds.
Let Gov Moore – Bass/Jeffries/Harris/Keith X clone – and state MD pay in full for rebuild.
Alternatively, take over the project. Use federal funding and federal resources to get it done, then put up a Federal toll on the damn thing to recoup the money plus withhold 5% of Maryland funding from Hwy Trust fund annually till it is paid off.
No way. Wes Moore should have the opportunity to show off his “management skills” before the next presidential campaign. Let’s give him plenty of rope to showcase his (lack of) capability.
1) When the proposal for the bridge first went out, people criticized the idea of a contract with no fixed costs.
2) The contract went out for bids and then the design was changed to increase the distance between the main stands / supports. That changed required different pilings (the original design was to use at least one of the original pilings.) The new pilings had to be bigger and driven deeper into the river bed. Engineering studies showed the pilings not only had to be bigger, but driven deeper into the Patapsco River.
3) How you design, spec out and bid on a project that has no clear costs, designs or studies is a mystery.
4) When the MV Dali hit the Key Bridge, the Port of Baltimore had to be effectively closed. The State (and therefore taxpayers) paid for the full wages of dock workers. Not mere unemployment, but the full wages (including health and retirement contributions.) This was buying votes.
5) In 1977, when the Key Bridge was opened, the Federal Government sent out a “survey” so states could figure out what protections (dolphins) bridge supports needed. The Key Bridge was not subject to the survey at that time. However, the same survey was issued in 2013. Maryland did not respond or fill out the required data and so the Key Bridge was left unprotected. No one has really talked about this systemic failure of the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore to protect the bridge.
Wes Moore has been a disaster of a governor. He managed to take a $3 billion government surplus and turn it into a $4 billion deficit. He claims that he did not raise taxes, but he increased fees everywhere he could. Maryland is also the only state in the union with a death tax, an inheritance tax, and a capital gains tax on unrealized income. (You also have a tax on paints which is slated to go to a company that is not a 503(c) company as per the law and does not exist. Yet the money is still going somewhere.)
Moore continues to battle people over his “stolen valor” claims and refuses to release his DD214.
The only thing worse is the Mayor of Baltimore who, like the previous mayors, is caught up in scandals over budgets, organizations run by his wife, having the most expensive government vehicle in the state (by over $60.000,) and a fight over records the Office of the Inspector General wants and the Mayor won’t release.
A recent survey said that 69% of the people in Baltimore have no faith in the government and think it is corrupt, but 62% love living here. Try to make sense out of that.
I walked the original Key Bridge when it was opened. It was an amazing experience. I look forward to walking the new bridge when Moore and Brandon Scott are relegated to the history books.
Maybe we can invite Biden to ride the train on the bridge again. (/sarcasm)
The ‘stolen valor’ issue is resolved. Homeboy claimed he was awarded a Bronze Star. He listed that award in his bio and his campaign literature to burnish his ‘I’m a Veteran, not like those other d/prog candidates’ credentials. He was NOT awarded a Bronze Star. He knew that and he lied about it. Any claims by him or anyone else, that he didn’t know/couldn’t know he hadn’t been awarded a Bronze Star are laughable.
Not really.
The incident with the Bronze Star has been resolved, but there are calls for Moore to release his DD214 and he has refused.
He lied about the Bronze Star and after Tim Walz lying about his time in the service, people want to see Moore’s military record. After all, if he lied about the Bronze Star, he may be lying about other things as well.
Moore was a vocal critic of Trump and Trump’s non-release of his taxes. Moore, along with other Democrats said “if there is nothing wrong, what does [Trump] have to hide?”
If Moore lied about the Bronze Star and won’t release his DD214, what is he hiding?
I didn’t make myself clear.
He lied.
He did so about award of a Decoration that can only be earned in Combat service. (Very high on the list of no no among Veterans/Military)
He did this deliberately to seek personal advantage in boosting his resume.
He allowed the lie to continue to percolate long after the initial lie to burnish his professional career and later his electoral odds.
He didn’t correct the record until directly challenged.
He/his Campaign have repeatedly promised inquiring media that more disclosure/answers about his military service record would be forthcoming but have yet to deliver.
IOW he’s a lying liar who continues to lie and no one should trust him about a damn thing he says.
This is amateur hour compared to the process of building the new I5 bridge over the Columbia. That would be an interesting long-term bet. Which bridge will be opened first?
There are 4 ways to go around Balmer. I-95 through/adjacent to downtown was the direct route. Then there is the 695 beltway that encircles the city, and the Key Bridge was part of the southern loop. The northern loop probably adds 20 miles of distance to using 95 and all hazardous material needs to use it Then there is the 895 tunnel, which was not bored but rather constructed from sections laid into a trench and then covered with fill to hold it down. So the Key Bridge represents an important way for shipping to happen in a more efficient manner for both non- and hazardous material trucks.
It is rarely the bridge that is the issue, but the adjacent lands and infrastructure. Back when I was in Balmer 30 years ago there was talk of building an even further south version of 895, which is very limited access roadway designed for through traffic. IIRC, it was even suggested that it originate off of the NE corner of 495, the Capitol Beltway. But it got stalled as all of the property speculators battled over how many access points there would be, and where. Every beltway starts off as a means to bypass the core, but then a new core gets built up around them, with services, and then housing, and then malls.
Ironically, a new I5 might not need to get built as the economies of oregon and washington tank and actual traffic over the existing bridge is decreasing. Oh, and the cost has tripple over the last 10 years of delays.
hmmm
could he be waiting for a federal bailout to rob peter to pay paul!!?!
Maryland has settled its tort claims against the owners and operators of the cargo vessel that struck the bridge, for an undisclosed sum.
Aaaaaaaaaand… it’s gone.
Maryland cancels construction contract for Francis Scott Key bridge.
Now looking to hire construction company from California who does high speed rail.
“High speed? How can we go wrong?”Maryland governor says.
Moore’s presidential bid depends on this bridge getting built in 2028.
For 2026 hes fairly safe. He has no serious competition. GOP in this state is so feckless they couldn’t get Jesus elected
Shite, Jesus couldn’t get elected to the cemetery commission in my blue town of 1800.
Because they want to sell the plots, not rent them.
Built the original between 72-77. Should be fun to see if they can meet that timeline.
Contractor refused to donate to Moore and the demonrat party of Maryland. See Spiro Agnew. Something’s never change.
re: The decision to off-ramp contractor Kiewit Infrastructure Co. from the project’s critical second phase came after its proposals “far exceeded” state estimates, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
More relevant: How did Kiewit’s bid compare to other builders?
Also relevant- were there other builders available? Major contractors don’t have a lot of extra equipment and manpower hanging around.
Cancels Key Contract
ISWYDT
No, that’s in Washington DC.
Oh, silly me. Of COURSE, they’re BOTH Key Bridges.
I dunno about y’all, but I just can’t WAIT to drive my RV over the new DEI Bridge.
I can tell you that my wife’s company picks up at a warehouse on the north side of the bridge. The lack of building it because DEI has added considerably to the shipping costs as drivers have to go around the city twice.
I’m gonna guess most people don’t remember Bostons big dig?
John Kerry said that the tunnel would be a bargain.
I think the tunnel ended costing billions more than what was projected.
Also a woman was killed driving through the darn thing.
They should ask Elon Musk how much the Boring Company would charge for 6 tunnel lanes….
**BINGO!!**
They want to empower the bridge by giving it the ability to collapse on its own without needing a nudge.
Leave a Comment