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.”
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