Skanska carrying out collapsed bridge removal

Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded a contract to Skanska to remove the debris of the collapsed Francis Scott Bridge. The package of works is worth US$50 million and work should be complete in July 2024. The waterway leading to and from the busy Port of Baltimore has now been cleared sufficiently to allow vessels to begin using the facility again.

The bridge collapsed on 26th March 2024 after being struck by the container vessel Dali, which had suffered a loss of power. Although the vessel’s crew alerted the bridge authorities who were able to stop traffic, six construction workers were unable to escape in time and were killed.

Carrying the I-695 Baltimore Beltway, the Francis Scott Bridge opened to traffic in 1977 and although it had recently passed inspection, the design made it vulnerable to impacts from ships using the waterway. Replacing the bridge is expected to cost up to US$2 billion and MTA is accepting bids for design and build solutions. The new bridge is intended to be open to traffic in the third quarter of 2028.