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Key Bridge News

I-695 Freeway Sign

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on March 26, 2024, a cargo ship leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the (I-695) Francis Scott Key Bridge. This caused a collapse of the bridge.

I-695 Outer Loop closed at MD 173 (exit 1) and Inner Loop closed at at MD 151/North Point Boulevard (exit 42). Harbor Crossings alternate routes are I-95 or I-895 tunnels. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials prohibited in tunnels should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels. This includes vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials.

 

More information can be found on the project website at: KeyBridgeRebuild.com

Alternative Routes
Alternative Routes Map

Response progression graphic

Click on map to enlarge

Key Bridge Detour

Road ConeSoutheast I-695 closed on Outer Loop at MD 173 (exit 1) and Inner Loop closed at MD 151/North Point Boulevard (exit 42). Harbor Crossings alternate routes are I-95 or I-895 tunnels.

April 15, 2024

Hazardous Materials and Height Restrictions for Tunnels

Propane canister

Vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, flammable liquids, explosives, radioactive and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). Specific information on prohibited and permitted hazardous material transport through the tunnels can be found by visiting the Maryland Division of State Documents' website the Maryland Division of State Documents to view the applicable COMAR regulations: Title 11, Subtitle 7, Chapter 1 (11.07.01).

Oversize and overweight vehicles, including vehicles over 8’-6” in width, 13’-6” in height, 55’-0” in length and tractor trailers over 80,000 lbs should visit the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) Commercial Vehicle Operations website to review permit requirements and routing options.

Additional Info:

May 8, 2024

News and Information

Governer's Office - Press Release - Governor Moore's Statement on Successful Refloat of the Container Ship Dali 05-20-2024

Governor's Office - Press Release - Governor Moore Announces More Than $125 Million for State Revitalization Program Funding 05-06-2024

Governor's Office - Press Release - Governor Moore Announces Two Additional Programs to Support Local Businesses Impacted by Key Bridge Collapse 04-23-2024

Governor's Office - Press Release - Governor Moore's Statement on Successful Recovery Mission - 04-15-2024

Governor's Office - Press Release - Governor Moore Launches Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Response Website

Governor's Office - Press Release - Spanish Language - Declaración del Gobernador Moore sobre cumplir con el hallazgo y recuperación de otra víctima del colapso - 04-05-2024

Governor's Office - Press Release - Governor Moore Applauds Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance - 04-05-2024

Governor's Office - Press Release - Governor Moore's Statement on Army Corps Timeline to Reopen Fort McHenry Channel

MDOT - Press Release - GOVERNOR MOORE ANNOUNCES INITIAL $60 MILLION REQUEST TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE RESPONSE - 03-28-2024

JIC - Press Release - Unified Command, Joint Information Center established for Key Bridge Response 2024 - 03-26-2024

Baltimore City DOT - Traffic Alert - Baltimore City Road Closures and Recommended Truck Routes Due to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse - 03-26-2024

Videos
Key Bridge Response 2024

Joint Information Center Website

Key Bridge Response Website - Follow link to learn more.

Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Response Website

Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Response Website

Key Bridge Rebuild Website

Key Bridge Rebuild Website - Virtual Industry Forum - Register now!

National Transportation Safety Board

Investigation Details

Key Bridge Response Website - Follow link to learn more.

Archive Images and Information about the Francis Scott Key Bridge
Francis Scott Key Bridge Vistas

Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695)

Francis Scott Key Bridge Construction Images

Building of the Francis Scott Key Bridge

Francis Scott Key Bridge History

The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977 and is named for the author of the Star Spangled Banner. The bridge is the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore's Harbor. Upon completion, the bridge structure and its approaches became the final links in Interstate 695 (the Baltimore Beltway).

By the early 1960s, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (Interstate 895), the first crossing of Baltimore's Harbor, had reached its traffic capacity, and motorists encountered heavy congestion and delays almost daily during rush hours. The State Roads Commission, predecessor of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), concluded there was a need for a second harbor crossing and began planning a single-tube tunnel under the Patapsco River, downstream from the Harbor Tunnel. The proposed site was between Hawkins Point and Sollers Point. Plans also were underway for a drawbridge over Curtis Creek to connect Hawkins Point to Sollers Point.

Contractors took borings of the harbor bottom in the spring of 1969. Bids for construction of the proposed tunnel were opened on July 30, 1970, but price proposals were substantially higher than the engineering estimates. Officials drafted alternative plans, including the concept of a four-lane bridge.

The bridge, at an estimated cost of $110 million, represented the best alternative because it allowed for more traffic lanes and carried lower operating and maintenance costs than a tunnel. In addition, a bridge would provide a route across the Baltimore Harbor for vehicles transporting hazardous materials (these materials are prohibited from both the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry [Interstate 95] tunnels).

Construction on the Francis Scott Key Bridge began in 1972, and the bridge opened to traffic on March 23, 1977. Including its connecting approaches, the bridge project is 10.9 miles in length. Other structures along the thruway include a .64-mile dual-span drawbridge over Curtis Creek and two .74-mile parallel bridge structures that carry traffic over Bear Creek, near Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant.

The Key Bridge is located in an area rich with American history. Scholars believe the span crosses within 100 yards of the site where Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry on the evening of Sept. 12, 1814. That battle inspired Key to write the words of the Star Spangled Banner.

Located just southeast of the bridge are the ruins of Fort Carroll, a 3.4-acre man-made island. The structure was designed by then Brevet-Colonel Robert E. Lee and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Construction of the fort began in 1848, under the supervision of Brevet-Colonel Lee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Fort Carroll was important for the defense of Baltimore -- before the fort was created, the only military defensive structure between Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay was Fort McHenry.

The government abandoned the fort as a military post in 1920, and the island was declared excess property in 1923. However, the War Department took no immediate steps to sell the land. In May 1958, a Baltimore attorney purchased the island for $10,000, but development plans never materialized. The fort now is deserted.

Along with the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels, the Francis Scott Key Bridge is part of a network of Baltimore Harbor crossings that provides convenient and safe transportation for local and interstate traffic.

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Dec 15

DriveEzMD Team - Harford Holiday Event

9 AM

Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium
873 Lond Drive, Aberdeen, MD

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December 15
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Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium
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Dec 19

MDTA Board Meeting - December 19, 2024

9 AM

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Meeting Location Change: MDTA ETL Project Office, 8019 Corporate Drive, Suite F, Nottingham, MD 21236 - Large Conference Room

This public meeting is livestreamed and archived on the MDTA Board Meeting Homepage. The MDTA Board Meeting homepage also provides access to the meeting schedule, materials, agenda and minutes.

Meeting Location Change: MDTA ETL Project Office, 8019 Corporate Drive, Suite F, Nottingham, MD 21236 - Large Conference Room

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