Photo Credit: rendering courtesy of MDTA
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on March 26, 2024, a cargo ship leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the (I-695) Francis Scott Key Bridge and caused the structure to collapse.
Since that moment, state government has been focused on recovery operations, clearing the channel, re-opening the Port of Baltimore, and rebuilding the bridge. The Department of Environment serves in a support role with the primary responsibility of ensuring that our land, air and waterways are protected throughout the process.
When the cargo ship Dali first struck the bridge, our Emergency Response Division was dispatched to assess and mitigate any potential spills of fuel, oil or hazardous materials. We performed water quality sampling of the area of the Patapsco River to confirm there were no major impacts to the waterway. We assisted with establishing a transfer station to process debris and dredging materials. As the process continues to replace the structure, the Department will ensure that environmental protection rules and regulations are followed throughout construction.
“Rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge isn’t just about Maryland – it’s about the nation’s economy,” said Governor Wes Moore. “The Port of Baltimore is an essential commercial artery for the entire country, handling more cars and more farm equipment than any other port within the United States. And you cannot have a fully functioning Port of Baltimore without the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which helps us move cargo to and through the port and across the east coast and midwest. Simply put: This isn't about nostalgia – this is about necessity.”
Demolition Phase
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) has requested a Tidal Wetlands License and Water Quality Certification for demolition of the remaining structures of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. A public hearing was held on
Thursday, Aug. 1, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m at the Baltimore County Public Library, North Point Branch, located at 1716 Merritt Blvd., Dundalk, MD 21222. The hearing can be watched at
Equity and Environment (keybridgerebuild.com). Written comments were accepted until Aug. 15. Please contact Matthew Wallach at
matthew.wallach@maryland.gov or 410-207-0893 with any questions.
Documents:
Public Notice
Demolition Tidal Wetlands and Water Quality Certification Public Notice (PDF)
Maryland Register Hearing Notice for 24-WQC-0022
The August 1, 2024 hearing transcript can be found HERE (PDF)
Demolition: Section 401 WQC Request (24-WQC-0022):
FSK_WQCert_Demo_2024.05.31_FINAL_COMPILED (PDF)
Demolition Emergency Tidal Wetlands License (24-WL-0607/202460906):
FSK_JPA_EX_Package (PDF)
Wetland Report and Recommendation:
Emergency Wetlands License 24-WL-0607EX, issued on October 9, 2024 (PDF)
Demolition Tidal Wetlands License (24-WL-0653/202460906):
FSK_JPA_Package (PDF)
Wetland Report and Recommendation:
Wetlands License 24-WL-0653, issued on July 26, 2024 (PDF)
Rebuild Phase
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) has requested a Water Quality Certification, Tidal Wetlands License and a Nontidal Wetlands and Waterway Construction Authorization for the construction of a new bridge to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Rebuild Project will include the construction of a new bridge, which will tie the new bridge into the existing roadway on either side of the river.
The project location will be the same as the original bridge, following the existing centerline across the Patapsco River. The new bridge will remain within MDTA’s existing right-of-way (ROW).
A public informational hearing was held on Monday, December 2, 2024 at the North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department, 7500 North Point Rd, Baltimore, MD 21219, and can be watched at Equity and Environment (keybridgerebuild.com). The hearing was held to solicit comments from the public about the proposed work related to a major revision to the tidal wetlands application. The revision includes the construction of temporary piles and a temporary trestle extending along the northeast and southwest shorelines along the proposed bridge alignment and will terminate approximately 200 feet from the Federal Navigation Channel. Written comments will be accepted until December 17, 2024. Please contact Matthew Wallach at matthew.wallach@maryland.gov or 410-207-0893 with any questions.
Hearing documents can be found below. Additionally, the same documents will also be housed at the following locations and made available upon request.
- Sollers Point Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 323 Sollers Point Rd. Dundalk MD 21222
- Enoch Pratt Free Library – Cherry Hill Branch, 606 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225
Documents:
Public Notice
Federal Consistency Determination
Federal Consistency Determination issued on December 9, 2024 (PDF)
Rebuild Section 401 WQC Request (24-WQC-0028):
FSK_WQCert_Rebuild_2024.07.02 (PDF)
Rebuild Tidal Wetlands License (24-WL-0757/202461017)and Nontidal Wetlands & Waterway Construction Authorization (24-NT-0163):
For information on the Key Bridge, including ongoing recovery efforts, please visit:
