The US Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District (USCACE) announced last week that it granted the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) a permit to build the replacement bridge reconnecting I-695 over the Patapsco River, WTOP reports. The permit for the approximately $2 billion project was issued prior to first anniversary of the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s March 26, 2024, collapse.
Baltimore District Commander Colonel Francis Pera said, “To have both removed the bridge wreckage and issued relevant permits for its reconstruction on this timetable is a testament to our dedicated regulatory branch and our commitment to support an energetic economy across the Mid-Atlantic.”
Although some geotechnical investigations and demolition work remain, construction is expected to start this summer. The new bridge is targeted for completion by 2028.
The Baltimore Sun also covers this story.