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.
Collectively, the MDTA estimates the jobs will cost between about $4 billion and $4.8 billion. Work packages include the demolition of remaining structures and separate contracts for the construction of the north and south approaches, as well as the building of the main span.
By restructuring the procurements into multiple contracts, MDTA expects greater competition within the contracting community, an expansion of opportunities for the local workforce and acceleration of new contract awards.
Indeed, large megaproject contractor Tutor Perini has noted limited competition when bidding multibillion-dollar jobs due to the capacity constraints many builders face.
The MDTA announcement comes after Omaha, Nebraska-based Kiewit was “off-ramped” from the megaproject when the agency informed the firm it would not remain on the job for Phase 2. Removing Kiewit fit a standard provision in design-build contracts, per the MDTA, when a final price cannot be agreed upon for future work.
But Kiewit was not kicked off the job. Kiewit Infrastructure Co. will finish contracted work — to drive permanent foundation piles and build a work platform over the water — through at least the end of the calendar year, the most recent MDTA 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 Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement’s main span.
The scope of work includes a 3,365-foot cable-stayed bridge with a 1,665-foot main span and a 230-foot minimum clearance over the main channel. The request for qualifications on that job begins this summer, with construction anticipated to start in summer 2027.
The next biggest job is the south land approach contract, a design-bid-build package that requires 3,000 feet of approach bridge over land and ground improvements over wetland. That project is anticipated to cost between $300 million and $400 million, with invitation for bids starting in the fall and construction beginning in spring 2027.
On the opposite side of the Patapsco River, the north land approach design-bid-build contract will require 2,400 feet of approach bridge over land, 3,400 feet of on-grade approach roadway 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 starting the subsequent spring.
The smallest of the contracts is also the soonest to contract out. The demolition and miscellaneous marine work job will require the removal and salvage of two three-span steel girder units over the Patapsco, as well as the partial demolition of eight marine piers, sub-aqueous demolition of three marine foundations and full demolition of two land piers. The anticipated cost range is $50 million to $100 million, with an invitation to bids opening this summer and construction anticipated to begin in the fall.
Project details
For the first phase of construction, Kiewit operated under a project labor agreement. However, during the virtual industry forum, Jason Stolicny, deputy director of project development for the MDTA, said the Maryland DOT decided in February 2025 that a PLA would not be required for future work.
As a result, future contracts won’t be subject to a PLA. However, since federal funding will be used, they will need to comply with Build America Buy America provisions.
