The cost to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has more than doubled, and the project is expected to finish later than originally planned, Maryland authorities said Monday.
The Maryland Transportation Authority now estimates the rebuild will cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with an expected opening in late 2030. This is a two-year delay from earlier projections and more than double the previous $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion estimate.
The bridge, a key route for traffic to the Port of Baltimore, collapsed after a cargo ship, the Dali, hit one of its pillars on March 26, 2024. Six construction workers died in the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report said the ship suffered two critical electrical failures minutes before the crash. The failures stopped pumps required for the ship’s single propeller and rudder. An emergency generator was not set up to handle the loss of power.
At the time, an apprentice pilot controlled the ship under the supervision of a senior pilot. Investigators confirmed that the crew tested negative for drugs and alcohol and the fuel had no contaminants.
Governor Wes Moore said the initial cost and timeline estimates were made less than two weeks after the crash, before detailed engineering and design studies. Rising material costs and federal design and resilience standards have also contributed to the higher price.
“As many as 35,000 vehicles used the bridge daily,” Moore said. “We will continue to rebuild as safely, quickly, and efficiently as possible and keep Marylanders updated on progress.”
Then-President Joe Biden pledged federal support for the rebuild, saying the government would cover the costs to restore this vital transportation link.
The six workers who died were immigrants from Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and Guatemala. Authorities said they remain committed to completing the project while ensuring safety and efficiency
