Key Bridge Rebuild Boat Tours Show Progress on Foundations

State of MD - State and local elected officials, community leaders and members of the public took boat tours of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild project Monday. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) hosted the tours.

Guests got an up-close look at the pile driving for the bridge foundations. They also saw the nearly finished overwater work platform, known as a trestle.

Work on the temporary trestle platforms is underway on both sides of the river. It is expected to wrap up this fall. Once it is done, the trestle will let supplies, labor and equipment reach the pier sites more safely and efficiently.

MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner said crews are working at the two main pylons. "Progress continues on the Key Bridge Rebuild project as crews continue to drive permanent piles at the two main pylons," said Gartner. "These piles are permanent and are the beginning of the foundations for the cable-stayed bridge's main span."

Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary and MDTA Chair Katie Thomson said the tours are about keeping people informed. "Our goal is to always keep project stakeholders, customers and communities informed every step of the way as we advance construction for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge."

House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk also took the tour. "Seeing the work underway today made clear both the enormous scale of rebuilding the Key Bridge and the incredible progress being made," said Peña-Melnyk.

Senator Johnny Ray Salling said the tours help people understand the project. "It is important for our businesses, for our homeowners, for everybody to have a greater understanding of where we are at now, but of course where we need to be," said Salling.

Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu spoke about jobs tied to the rebuild. "As we move into the rebuild phase, the focus of our partnership is to ensure local Marylanders access the training and opportunities to work on these projects and contribute to the vitality that the Key Bridge brings to our state," said Wu.

Mark Anthony Thomas, CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, also shared his thoughts after the tour. "Seeing the rebuild plan today, I feel like I have a better understanding of the long-term strategy, how impactful the bridge being rebuilt will be, and really the landmark Baltimore will have when it is completed," said Thomas.

The MDTA is rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge to reconnect the I-695 Baltimore Beltway.

More information is available at KeyBridgeRebuild.com.