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The Maryland Transportation Authority unveiled detailed renderings of the replacement Francis Scott Key Bridge recently, offering a glimpse into the future two-mile span over the Patapsco River.

Designed to modern safety standards, the bridge will feature two 12-foot lanes in each direction, with 10-foot-wide outside shoulders and four-foot-wide inside shoulders.

Rising approximately 230 feet above the federal shipping channel, the structure ensures safe navigation for large vessels while supporting regional transportation needs.

Demolition progress: Clearing the path for reconstruction

Demolition of the incident-damaged Key Bridge began in July 2025 and is anticipated to be completed within approximately nine months. So far, crews have removed all 20,000 tons of  decking from the north and south spans, officials announced.

Steel girders, each weighing approximately 50,000 pounds, are being carefully dismantled and recycled as part of the ongoing demolition efforts.

To prioritize community safety and environmental compliance, noise and vibration monitors have been strategically installed throughout the construction zone.

Foundation testing to ensure structural integrity

A significant milestone in the project is the Test Pile Program, launched in early October 2025.

This initiative involves driving 12 massive steel test piles, roughly eight feet each in diameter and over 220 feet long, into the riverbed on weekdays and Saturdays to validate the foundation’s design.

To protect aquatic life, an innovative air  has been implemented, effectively reducing underwater noise generated during pile driving.

The project, with an estimated budget of $2 billion, is slated for completion in the fall of 2028. The new cable-stayed will feature twin-tower structural elements exceeding 600 feet in height and is engineered to last for at least a century, according to officials.

The reconstruction contract was awarded to in August 2024, with design and construction work progressing since 2025.

The replacement of the Key Bridge follows the tragic collapse of the original structure in March 2024, caused by a cargo ship collision that claimed the lives of six construction workers and disrupted one of the East Coast’s busiest shipping routes.