In a significant step towards recovery and rebuilding after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland transportation leaders have approved a contract for its reconstruction. The 1.6-mile steel span collapsed in March this year when a massive container ship lost power and crashed into one of its supporting columns, claiming the lives of six members of a road work crew.

The Maryland Transportation Authority board awarded a $73 million contract to Kiewit Infrastructure, a renowned engineering and construction organization, for the first phase of the project. This phase, expected to be completed within a year, will focus on design work and additional necessary steps before construction begins. It may also involve demolishing the remaining pieces of the bridge still standing.

The new bridge is estimated to cost $1.7 billion and is slated for completion by 2028. It will feature enhanced pier protection to better withstand potential collisions from wayward ships in the future. Renderings of the preliminary design are expected to be released in the coming months, providing the public with a glimpse of what the new bridge will look like.

Kiewit Infrastructure, which has previously worked on major water crossings with maritime activity similar to the Key Bridge, expressed their enthusiasm for partnering with the Maryland Transportation Authority and local subcontractors. They aim to safely restore this vital transportation link in Baltimore and the greater region.

The decision to award the contract to Kiewit Infrastructure was based on the company's top ranking for its technical contents, despite being relatively more expensive than other proposals. The project will proceed in two phases, with Kiewit holding exclusive negotiating rights for the second phase. In the event a guaranteed maximum price cannot be agreed upon, alternative contracting mechanisms will be explored.

The new bridge will be designed to accommodate larger ships entering Baltimore's harbor and will be slightly taller than its predecessor. The original Key Bridge, which opened in 1977 after five years of construction, has been an iconic landmark in Baltimore for decades.

In addition to the reconstruction efforts, ongoing investigations into the collapse include an FBI inquiry into power outages experienced by the cargo ship Dali before the incident. Meanwhile, discussions regarding the federal government's coverage of cleanup and rebuilding costs continue, with a recent $350 million insurance payout being remitted to the federal government as a show of good faith.

Litigation is expected to determine liabilities in the bridge collapse, with impacted businesses, Baltimore's mayor, and the city council filing claims seeking damages. Among them is Underwood Energy, a local hazardous material transporter, which filed a new claim Thursday citing revenue losses associated with the collapse.

Maryland's congressional delegation, along with the Biden administration, is pushing for 100% reimbursement from Congress for the disaster-damaged bridge, as federal funding typically covers 90% of such replacements while the state covers the remaining 10%.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge not only claimed lives but also disrupted Baltimore's busy port and created increased traffic congestion in the area. The approval of the contract signals a significant milestone in the recovery and rebuilding process, with hopes for a safer and more resilient bridge to serve the transportation needs of the city and its region in the future.