BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — Maryland transportation officials are releasing a new solicitation to begin selecting the team that will construct the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s main span and marine approaches.
The Maryland Transportation Authority released a Request for Qualifications for the construction of the main-span bridge and marine approaches, launching a two-step, competitive, sealed-proposal process to select a design-build team for the contract.
Maryland is working expeditiously to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge and this step is the first major milestone in assembling our construction team,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary and MDTA Board Chair Katie Thomson.
Interested teams can access the RFQ on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage, known as eMMA. MDTA expects to create a reduced candidate list, or shortlist, of the most qualified teams, which would then be invited to submit technical and price proposals in response to a forthcoming Request for Proposal. Those proposals will be sealed under state procurement law. To advance to the second step, proposers must submit a statement of qualifications by the deadline listed in the RFQ.
“This is a significant milestone to get the largest procurement for this project out for qualifications in just over 60 days since announcing the project will be split into four contracts,” said MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner. “Progress continues on the rebuild with permanent piles being driven into the riverbed daily laying the foundation of the future bridge while concurrently advancing through the procurement process on these construction contracts.”
MDTA described the main span and marine approaches contract as the largest of the four contracts that make up the Key Bridge Rebuild project. It includes construction of a cable-stayed bridge with a 1,665-foot main span and a total length of 3,365 feet, with a minimum 230-foot clearance over the federal navigation channel. Plans also call for two concrete pylons reaching an elevation of 602 feet, a vessel collision protection system at the main pylon piers, about 660 feet of south-approach bridge over water and about 1,560 feet of north-approach bridge over water.
MDTA’s anticipated procurement schedule lists the RFQ advertised in summer 2026, a reduced candidate list in fall 2026 and a project notice to proceed in summer 2027.
The agency said it also anticipates announcing additional procurements for demolition of remaining structures over water and miscellaneous marine work, construction of the south land approach and construction of the north land approach.
Construction activity is continuing while the procurement moves forward. MDTA said permanent foundation piles are being installed, along with an over-water work platform known as a trestle.
More information is available at KeyBridgeRebuild.com.
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