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The Maryland Transportation Authority will issue four separate contracts for reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the agency announced Tuesday during a virtual industry forum.
All together, the MDTA estimates the jobs will cost between $4 billion and $4.8 billion. The works packages include the demolition of the remaining structures and separate contracts for the construction of the north and south approaches, as well as the construction of the main section.
By restructuring procurement into multiple contracts, MDTA expects greater competition within the contracting community, expanded opportunities for the local workforce, and accelerated awarding of new contracts.
Indeed, large megaproject contractor Tutor Perini has observed limited competence when bidding on multi-million dollar jobs due to the capacity constraints many builders face.
The MDTA announcement comes on the heels of Omaha, Nebraska Kiewit was “off the ramp” of the megaproject when the agency informed the company it would not continue work for Phase 2. Kiewit’s removal conformed to a standard provision in design-build contracts, according to the MDTA, when a final price cannot be agreed upon for future work.
But Kiewit wasn’t fired from the job. Kiewit Infrastructure Co. will complete contracted work, to drive permanent foundation piles and build an overwater work platform, at least through the end of the calendar year, MDTA’s most recent release said.
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Transportation
The 4 contracts
The largest work package is a design-build contract estimated to cost between $3.5 billion and $4 billion for the construction of the replacement main span of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The scope of work includes a 3,365-foot cable-stayed bridge with a 1,665-foot main span and a minimum clearance of 230 feet over the main channel. Solicitation for qualifications on this job begins this summer, and construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2027.
The next most important work is the southern land approach contract, a design-bid-build package that requires 3,000 feet of land approach bridge and land improvements over wetlands. This project is expected to cost between $300 million and $400 million, with an invitation for bids in the fall and construction in the spring of 2027.
On the opposite side of the Patapsco River, the north land approach design-bid-build contract will require 2,400 feet of above-ground approach bridge, 3,400 feet of at-grade approach road construction, abutments and retaining walls. MDTA expects a cost range of $200 million to $300 million, with invitations to bid in the winter of 2027 and construction to begin the following spring.
The smallest of the contracts is also the one that is contracted the earliest. The demolition work and miscellaneous marine work will require the removal and salvage of two three-span steel beam units on the Patapsco, as well as the partial demolition of eight marine piers, the underwater demolition of three marine foundations and the total demolition of two land piers. The projected cost range is $50 million to $100 million, with an invitation for bids to open this summer and construction expected to begin in the fall.
Details of the project
For the first phase of construction, Kiewit operated under a project labor agreement. However, during the virtual industry forum, Jason Stolicny, MDTA’s deputy director of project development, said the Maryland DOT decided in February 2025 that a PLA would not be required for future work.
As a result, future contracts will not be subject to a PLA. However, because federal funding will be used, they must comply with Build America Buy America provisions.
