The following article and photo was submitted by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
State and local elected officials, community leaders and members of the public attended boat tours Monday of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild project, hosted by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
Attendees were given a unique opportunity to see up-close progress of the ongoing pile driving for the bridge foundations and construction of the near-completed overwater work platform known as a trestle.
One of the local elected officials was Sixth District Senator Johnny Ray Salling.
“I am glad they are doing this… And had opportunities for some legislators, but for some of our people here to see exactly what is going on and how the process is going forward,” said Salling.
“I appreciate this opportunity for everybody to be a part of this. 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. So, I am just hoping and praying the transparency will always be there and we will continue to work together.”
Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary and MDTA Chair Katie Thomson was glad to invite the group
“The boat tours are just another example of the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to transparency throughout this project which is critical for Maryland’s economy,” Thomson said
“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.”
“Seeing the work underway today made clear both the enormous scale of rebuilding the Key Bridge and the incredible progress being made,” said House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk.
“Crews are already driving the permanent piles that will form the foundation of the new bridge, and it is exciting to see this next chapter for Baltimore and Maryland beginning to take shape. I saw so much more than steel and concrete today. I got a window into our future. Maryland is building forward. This bridge is a vital connection for our communities, our workers, and our economy. I’m grateful to the men and women working every day to rebuild it safely and thoughtfully, and I look forward to watching that progress continue.”
“After the Key Bridge collapse, the Maryland Department of Labor and MDOT partnered to rapidly provide critical support to impacted people and businesses,” said Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu.
“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.”
“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 Mark Anthony Thomas, CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee.
“For one, it is a very complex project and so seeing how the workers and how the infrastructure is being established just to build the foundation for the bridge itself was pretty impressive.”
Work on the temporary trestle platforms is underway on both sides of the river and is expected to wrap up this fall. Once complete, the trestle will allow supplies, labor and equipment to reach the pier sites safely and more efficiently throughout construction.
“Progress continues on the Key Bridge Rebuild project as crews continue to drive permanent piles at the two main pylons,” said MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner. “These piles are permanent and are the beginning of the foundations for the cable-stayed bridge’s main span.”
The MDTA is rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge to reconnect the I-695 Baltimore Beltway and restore a vital transportation link. The rebuild project is rooted in the needs of local communities by enhancing daily life, strengthening connections, facilitating the movement of people and goods across the country and ensuring a modern bridge that will serve Marylanders for generations to come.
Visit KeyBridgeRebuild.com for more information.