The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has issued a request for proposals for design-and-build teams to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed on 26 March after being hit by a container ship.
The 2.6km-long structure was used by 30,000 vehicles a day to cross the Patapsco River.
The MDTA is asking that the designer and builder work “side-by-side” across a two-phase contract, and collaborate with the project’s stakeholders.
Bruce Gartner, MDTA’s executive director, said: “The rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is a massive effort. We need as many partners as possible pulling in one direction to help us accomplish our goals of reconnecting communities.”
The authority hosted a virtual industry forum on 7 May, which attracted the attention of 1,700 contractors, consultants and subcontractors.
Estimates for the cost of the work were between $1bn and $3bn; President Biden has said this will be covered by the federal government.
In May, Italian contractor Webuild, alongside MIT professor Carlo Ratti and French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, put forward a longer, cable-stayed design to replace the fallen bridge.
More information about the tender is available here. The deadline for proposals is 24 June.
The rebuilt bridge is due to be completed in the autumn of 2028.
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