MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY OPENS BIDDING FOR DEMOLITION AND MARINE WORK AS PROGRESS CONTINUES ON KEY BRIDGE REBUILD

BALTIMORE, MD (August 25, 2026) — Today, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced it is accepting bids for the Demolition and Miscellaneous Marine Work contract, the second of four contracts for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The contract will be awarded through a competitive, sealed bidding process with work anticipated to begin in late 2026.

“This advertisement keeps progress on the Key Bridge Rebuild moving on an aggressive timeline while construction is already underway,” said MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner. “Although it is not impeding work, clearing the remaining structures over the water is a necessary part of building the new bridge. We are keeping that work on a parallel track as we advance our other procurements.”

Interested firms can access the Invitation for Bid (IFB) on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA).

The contract includes:

• removal and salvage of steel girder spans over the Patapsco River;

• demolition of marine and land piers;

• sub-aqueous demolition of marine foundations; and

• clean-out of 96-inch steel pipe piles.

The anticipated schedule for this procurement is as follows:

The MDTA announced four separate procurements for the Key Bridge Rebuild in May. Dividing the procurements into multiple contracts will increase competition within the contracting community, expand opportunities for the local workforce and accelerate the award of new contracts.

On July 21, MDTA released the Request for Qualifications for the main span and marine approaches contract, the largest of the four, beginning a two-step process to select a design-build team. Advertisements for the south land approach and north land approach contracts are anticipated in late 2026 and early 2027, respectively.

Construction activity continues as the procurement process moves forward. Crews are driving permanent piles and constructing an over-water work platform, known as a trestle, to support construction of the new bridge. 

The MDTA finances, owns, operates, secures and maintains Maryland’s toll tunnels, bridges and turnpikes. For more information about the Key Bridge Rebuild, visit KeyBridgeRebuild.com.