Key Bridge Collapse: Where Do Things Stand 2 Years Later?

BALTIMORE, MD — Thursday marks the second anniversary of the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

In the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, eight construction workers were taking a break in their cars when the Dali container ship lost power and collided with a support pylon.

Only two of the workers survived the bridge's collapse into the Patapsco River.

Findings by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed the bridge collapsed about 13 seconds after being hit. One worker described the impact of the Dali ship as a "crumbling thunder noise."

Related: Moments Before Key Bridge Collapse Revealed In New Transcripts

The collapse drew widespread attention to the state of the nation's aging infrastructure and safety measures for highway crews.

So What's The Latest With The Bridge?

Two years on, the focus is on how the state can best rebuild the bridge that served as a major connection to southeast Baltimore.

Leading the effort is Jim Harkness, the chief engineer for the Maryland Transportation Authority.

At a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Harkness said early construction work helped to advance the design work for the new bridge, and that early demolition efforts ensured the project stayed on schedule.

Once finished, the new cable-stayed bridge is expected to be more than two miles long, have a 230-foot clearance above the waterway, and two 12-foot lanes going in each direction.

"Each main pylon protection fender is longer and wider than an NFL football field and over 20 feet thick," the MDTA says, noting that each of the foundations is supported by 78 concrete-filled steel pipe piles that measure 8 feet in diameter.

Officials are aiming for the bridge to have a lifespan of 100 years.

A full breakdown of the design plans can be found online.

Preliminary work for the test piles remains ongoing as the majority of the Key Bridge has been removed from the site. Two ramps of the former bridge are still visible.

Work on the first phase of construction is scheduled to run through spring, with demolition and pre-construction efforts continuing through the end of the year.

How Much Will The Rebuild Cost?

The new bridge was initially slated to be completed in 2028 and cost under $2 billion. Now, it's set to open by late 2030 with an estimated price tag of more than $5 billion.

However, that number could change in the next few months depending on talks between the state and Kiewit, the rebuild's contractor.

To date, Maryland received a $350 million insurance payout following the collapse, and the federal government is expected to cover the remainder of the bill.

Related: Key Bridge Rebuild Will Cost More Than Twice Original Estimate, State Says

Gov. Wes Moore previously said the cost increase of the project was the result of elevated design standards and deteriorating economic conditions that skyrocketed the costs of materials.

“Just as families across the country are dealing with the reality of increased costs, so is Maryland," he said at the time.

"Trade policies out of Washington, D.C. have raised prices on everything — including essential materials we need in order to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.”

Related: See Moment Key Bridge Collapsed Into Baltimore Harbor

A joint statement issued by Moore and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in January detailed the two officials agreed to fast-track rebuilding efforts.

However, the statement did not specify or outline a new timeline.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Moore praised the Port of Baltimore workers for handling the channel's second-best year. Cargo processed in 2025 was valued at $65.6 million.

“Once again, Maryland’s Port of Baltimore proves it is one of our nation’s top economic assets as it continues to rebound from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2024," he said.

And Then There's The Lawsuits

Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group, the Singaporean groups that own and operate the Dali container ship, paid out over $100 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department.

The agency had argued that both companies ignored electrical problems that were known to officials.

While that suit was closed in 2024, lawsuits tied to the bridge collapse are expected to head to court this year.

Related:

• MD Sues Owner, Manager Of Ship That Caused Key Bridge Collapse
• Ship Owner In Key Bridge Collapse To Pay $100M

Lawsuits have been filed by the state of Maryland, survivors, and the victims' families. Billions of dollars are on the line.

Stay up to date with all of Patch's Key Bridge collapse coverage.