BALTIMORE (Nov. 18, 2025) – The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is 

reviewing the findings and recommendations of the final report made by the National Transportation Safety Board. 

The MDTA maintains that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the tragic loss of life were the sole fault of the DALI and the gross negligence of its owners and operators. The Key Bridge was approved and permitted by the federal government and complied with those permits. The Key Bridge Rebuild continues to advance in the design process and will have a rigid fender pier protection system to meet today’s American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials design standards. 

The safety of Maryland highways and bridges is always a top priority for the MDTA. The William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge has been inspected annually for over 30 years and is in safe and satisfactory condition. In the last decade, Maryland has invested more than $175 million in Bay Bridge safety and security infrastructure.  

Although the Bay Bridge’s pier protection design and condition meet the requirements of the bridge's federal permits, the MDTA is engaged in a design process for enhanced physical protection. MDTA has taken steps to enhance the Bay Bridge’s physical protections because, although vessels have increased in size, weight, and speed, maritime regulations have not kept pace with the changes. The MDTA initiated the project in spring 2024 to evaluate and study bridge protection. Consulting firm Moffatt & Nichol, a nationally recognized company for their expertise regarding vessel collision design of bridges, conducted the $600,000 study phase of the project.  

Now that the study phase is complete, the MDTA is pursuing design for the construction of enhanced protection at the Bay Bridge. On October 20, the MDTA hosted an industry forum where MDTA representatives provided an overview of the anticipated design-build process and engaged with potential heavy marine contractors, consultants and subcontractors. The forum also informed industry stakeholders about the upcoming request for proposals, which is anticipated to be released in winter 2025. This design-build project is valued at approximately $177 million. 

The MDTA is performing this project at the same time it is studying the potential replacement of the existing Bay Bridge spans as part of the MDTA’s Bay Crossing Study. As such, the MDTA will ensure that it does not preclude a future project to replace the existing spans.