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U.S. Dept. of Transportation raises concerns about Baltimore Key Bridge rebuild costs, traffic congestion in Maryland

By JT Moodee Lockman,
Caroline Foreback
Caroline Foreback
Caroline Foreback joined WJZ in November 2022, and she is thrilled to be reporting in her home state of Maryland for the station she grew up watching.
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Caroline Foreback

/ CBS Baltimore

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) raised concerns about the cost of rebuilding Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge and traffic congestion in Maryland. 

On Tuesday, USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy said he plans to meet with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to discuss the increased estimated cost of the rebuild and congestion along the I-495 and I-270 corridor. 

"I look forward to discussing the urgent matter of relieving severe congestion on the American Legion Memorial Bridge and getting the Francis Scott Key Bridge project back on track with Governor Moore," Duffy said. 

As of Thursday, no meeting has been scheduled, according to the governor's office. 

Estimated cost to rebuild Key Bridge

The Key Bridge rebuild project was initially projected to cost about $2 billion. However, in November, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) shared an updated estimate of $4.3 billion to $5.2 billion. 

According to the MDTA, the cost increase is due to a dramatic rise in "material costs for all aspects of the project." Officials said the preliminary estimates were prepared less than two weeks after the bridge collapsed in March 2024, and the new estimates came as design and pre-construction phases progressed.  

The MDTA also said the project would be completed by 2030, rather than 2028. 

"If you have the money, then let's build it, let's get it done," said Drew, an Anne Arundel County resident. "But you hate to have both of them – the delay and costing more money."

The new Key Bridge will have two 12-foot lanes in each direction and is expected to have a lifespan of 100 years. 

In December 2024, state lawmakers confirmed that the federal government would be covering the full cost of the rebuild after securing funding in a federal spending bill. 

Duffy said he in September, raising concerns about the bridge rebuild and questioning the proposed budget and timeline. 

Maryland traffic concerns 

In a letter sent on Tuesday, Duffy also stated that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking public input on accelerating the reconstruction of the American Legion Memorial Bridge in Montgomery County. The move aims to reduce traffic congestion on I-495 and I-270, which commuters use to travel between Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

"Governor Moore's lack of action on the American Legion Bridge corridor is holding back progress on one of the nation's most critical transportation routes," FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster said in a statement.

The concerns come after Washington, D.C., was rated number one in the U.S. for worst traffic congestion, Duffy said, citing a

"Maryland's highways help connect thousands to our nation's capital, and as part of our effort to revitalize the area and make it safe and beautiful, holding leaders accountable at every level is essential to making sure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently," Duffy said in a statement. 

Gov. Moore's office stated that the governor "continues to engage with bipartisan Congressional leadership and the Trump administration to move forward quickly on the rebuild of the Key Bridge and remains open to innovative ways to improve the American Legion Bridge with the federal government."

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