MDTA Reopens Key Bridge Main Span Contract After Kiewit Exit
The Maryland Transportation Authority has issued a request for qualifications for the main span and marine approaches of the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild, ENR reports, restarting the project’s largest procurement after removing Kiewit Infrastructure Co. from the job earlier this year.
Market Impact
The design-build contract carries an estimated construction budget of up to $4 billion, making it the centerpiece of MDTA’s revised strategy to replace the bridge that collapsed in March 2024, killing six construction workers. Qualifications are due August 19. The RFQ calls for a four-lane, 3,365-ft-long bridge featuring a 1,665-ft cable-stayed main span with a minimum 230-ft clearance over the Patapsco River federal navigation channel, plus a vessel protection system for piers supporting two 602-ft concrete pylons.
MDTA off-ramped Kiewit in April amid rising costs and delivery delays. The agency has said the full rebuild can still be completed for under $5 billion, well below figures floated during failed negotiations with Kiewit over the project’s second phase. Kiewit and most of its phase 1 subcontractors are now ineligible to compete for the new contract. MDTA plans to shortlist design-build teams by mid-October, with final selection and notice to proceed targeted for summer 2027, and the agency wants the bridge open “as near to December 31, 2030 as practicable.”
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Heavy civil, marine construction, and bridge-specialty firms should prepare qualification submittals ahead of the August 19 RFQ deadline, with shortlisting expected by mid-October and final award in summer 2027.
- Firms tied to Kiewit’s original $73 million phase 1 contract, which covers 8-ft-diameter main span pile driving up to 230 ft deep and construction of a temporary access trestle, should note most of those subcontractors are barred from bidding the new main span package.
- Marine construction, pile-driving, and vessel-protection specialists should position for scope covering the 660-ft south approach and 1,560-ft north approach over water, both included in the main span contract.
- Demolition and civil contractors should watch for separate design-bid-build solicitations later this year covering removal of remaining original bridge marine structures and construction of the north and south land approaches, which will run concurrent with the design-build work.
- General contractors targeting a 2030 completion should staff for a compressed schedule, since MDTA wants the bridge fully open by December 31, 2030 despite notice to proceed not landing until summer 2027.
