Full Breakdown
Maryland Cancels Kiewit Contract for Phase 2 of Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild
4/29/2026, 4:47:26 AM
Contract Cancellation Marks New Phase in Key Bridge Rebuild
On Tuesday, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced that Kiewit Infrastructure Co. will not be retained for Phase 2 of the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement. State officials said Kiewit’s cost and schedule proposals “far exceeded” the independent estimates prepared by Maryland, prompting an “off-ramp” under the progressive design-build contract. The state will now re-open the market for a new builder while Phase 1 construction continues.
Background: Collapse and Progressive Design-Build Plan
The original Key Bridge collapsed on 26 March 2024 after the container ship Dali struck a support pier, killing six workers and halting traffic on the Patapsco River. Maryland responded with a progressive design-build contract, awarding Kiewit the design and early-construction work in August 2024. The model allows the state to change contractors after each phase if a mutually acceptable price cannot be reached.
Key Figures and Agencies
- Gov. Wes Moore – Governor of Maryland, overseeing the rebuild.
- Katie Thomson – Maryland Secretary of Transportation, MDTA spokesperson.
- Sean Duffy – U.S. Secretary of Transportation, federal oversight role.
- Bruce Gartner – MDTA Executive Director, responsible for ongoing construction.
- Kiewit Infrastructure Co. – Original design-build contractor.
Cost and Schedule Data
- Initial project estimate: ? $1.8 billion (early 2024).
- Revised estimate (Nov 2024): $4.3 billion–$5.2 billion.
- Kiewit Phase 1 contract: $73 million (original) -> $211 million (later) plus ? $500 million for construction, totaling > $700 million.
- Original completion target: Fall 2028; now projected end 2030.
- Phase 1 design is ? 70 % complete; MDTA expects Phase 1 work to continue through the end of the year (2025) and be fully finished by 2026.
Why It Matters: Taxpayer Impact and Regional Mobility
The bridge carries a critical freight corridor for the Port of Baltimore. Delays could extend congestion for commuters and increase shipping costs, while the $5 billion price tag represents a substantial federal-state expenditure. The contract change is framed as a safeguard for taxpayers, but it also introduces uncertainty about the final schedule and total cost.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Moore said the decision “protects Maryland and American taxpayers” and reaffirmed his commitment to rebuild “safely, quickly, and cost-efficiently.” Secretary Thomson emphasized that MDTA will “aggressively protect and advance the interests of Maryland.” Secretary Duffy praised the move as “putting taxpayers and their priorities first” and highlighted the federal department’s oversight role. Executive Director Gartner assured that “work will not stop” and that Kiewit will fulfill its Phase 1 obligations.
Criticism & Opposition
Secretary Duffy questioned Governor Moore’s fiscal stewardship, stating, “I don’t think he has been a good steward with the money.” Duffy also criticized Maryland’s diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) contracting requirements, arguing that “we have sent a letter to all of our partners saying they have to follow the law.” These remarks reflect federal concerns about both cost control and compliance with federal contracting rules.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on several figures: the total project cost ranges from $1.8 billion to >$5 billion; the projected completion date varies between 2028 and 2030; Phase 1 completion is cited as both end 2025 and end 2026; Kiewit’s Phase 1 contract value is reported as $73 million, $211 million, and ? $500 million for construction. No public figure has been released for Kiewit’s Phase 2 proposal, leaving the exact cost overrun unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In a statement on Tuesday, Moore said that since the beginning, he has "been unequivocal: we will rebuild this bridge safely, quickly, and cost-efficiently.” — Gov. Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland
- “The Trump Administration is always working to secure the best possible team for hardworking American taxpayers,” — Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
- “I don’t think he [Moore] has been a good steward with the money, but also, we have sent a letter to all of our partners saying they have to follow the law,” — Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
- “We were stunned by how significantly large their proposal was, and remain perplexed,” — Katie Thomson, Maryland Secretary of Transportation
- “Work will not stop on the Key Bridge Rebuild project,” — Bruce Gartner, MDTA Executive Director
What’s Next
MDTA will host an industry forum in May to outline the procurement process for a new Phase 2 contractor. The agency expects to set a timeline for the award shortly thereafter, while Kiewit completes Phase 1 tasks—including foundation piles and a temporary trestle—through the end of the year. The bridge’s projected opening remains slated for late 2030, pending the outcome of the new contract competition.
