At Contractor News, we reported the collision and later collapse of the Baltimore Bridge as the container ship Dali stuck it after a “Mayday alert.”

Almost six months later, authorities are gearing up to rebuild the Baltimore Bridge, which plays a crucial role for commerce and traveling through Maryland.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has awarded Kiewit Infrastructure Co. a $73 million contract for the design and construction of Phase 1 of the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement. 

Kiewit Infrastructure Co., a construction firm headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, will be responsible for the initial phase of the rebuild. The MDTA employs a progressive design-build process for the project, allowing for flexibility and collaboration among stakeholders. This method plans to adapt to emerging needs and changes as the project progresses. The overall cost of the bridge replacement is estimated at $1.7 billion, though this figure is not yet final. The funding will come from various sources, including insurance proceeds, cash reserves, bond financing, litigation recoveries, and federal funds.

Phase 1 of the project involves Kiewit working closely with the MDTA and other stakeholders to develop the project’s scope and requirements. If Phase 1 is successfully completed, Kiewit will have exclusive negotiating rights for the second phase, which includes the final design, engineering, and construction of the new bridge. However, if a guaranteed maximum price is not agreed upon, the MDTA may choose an alternative.

The rebuild is set to begin in 2025, with the replacement bridge expected to open by fall 2028. MDTA has emphasized the need for skilled labor to ensure the construction is completed quickly, safely, and reliably. The agency also plans to work closely with local communities and make sure that small and disadvantaged businesses have opportunities to participate in the project.

The bridge collapse had halted ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports in the United States. The Dali remained trapped under the bridge’s truss, and cranes were brought in to assist in clearing the wreckage. Divers surveyed the submerged sections of the bridge, and efforts were made to reduce pressure on an underwater natural gas pipeline near the site.

The recovery and clean-up efforts have been challenging, with thousands of tons of steel and concrete needing to be removed from the vessel’s bow. The wreckage is being lifted piece by piece, with responders scanning and evaluating the area after each lift. Four bridge workers’ bodies are still missing, with bad weather and debris complicating rescue operations.

The federal government had provided $60 million in emergency funds to assist with the clean-up, and Maryland Governor Moore had called for a swift investigation into the incident to hold those responsible accountable.