Posted on 11/18/2025 7:52:22 AM PST by Red Badger
The rebuilding cost of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge has more than doubled, and has a new expected opening of late 2030.
The Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024 after being hit by a cargo ship, is now projected to cost $4.3 billion to $5.2 billion to rebuild, up from the previous cost estimate of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion, CNN reported. The bridge was also originally expected to be completed by 2028.
“Preliminary cost and project time estimates were made less than two weeks after the initial crash and before any engineering or design studies were conducted,” Maryland Democrat Gov. Wes Moore said Monday.
“Since then, national economic conditions have deteriorated and material costs have increased. At the same time, elevated costs have resulted from federal design and resilience standards – not discretionary state choices.”
As many as 35,000 vehicles a day traveled across the bridge before the ship ran into one of its pillars, resulting in the death of six people.
Maryland's acting Transportation Secretary and Maryland Transportation Authority Chairwoman Samantha J. Biddle gave a similar explanation about the higher costs and projected completion date.
“The updated cost range and schedule are directly correlated to increased material costs and to a robust pier protection system designed to protect the new Key Bridge and reduce the likelihood of a future ship strike to the bridge’s foundational piers.”
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The Big Dig was estimated during Reagan’s time at $2.4 Billion. Tip O’Neil had the votes to override Reagan’s veto. Ended up costing $14 Billion. So roughly 5X its original estimate. If this ONLY doubles, its almost like on budget.
It sure does make getting through downtown Boston easier. As long as there isn’t an accident in the tunnel. Or a roofing tile doesn’t break off and fall on your car.
We didn’t see that coming from half a Continent away...
“OnLy GoVeRnmEnT cAn BuIld Muh RoADz...”
Eventually... at exponential cost due to fraud and kickbacks.
In Japan, the bridge would already be rebuilt, and it would be near or under budget.
“Consultants” (i.e., those who build nothing) have to eat, too, y’know ... just like the “consultants” who have been exceptionally well paid to “design” Newscum’s “bullet train” here in California.
Denver’s new airport in Kansas needs refurbishing already?............
“no one was piloting the ship, it had no power.”
Yup - those guys were just along for the ride at that point.
“Why it had no power is a whole ‘nother question, and answers will never be made public”
They were having problems with the power for the last two port calls if I remember right. We’ll never get a a straight answer - just a lot of guesses if anything comes out.
I remember when living in Boston the Uber drivers would always bring up the glory days of having some Big Dig job where they got paid “great money to do nothing”.
within 1 week of starting work on the 520 Floating Bridge across Lake Washington, it was determined that the concrete floating piers were not designed correctly. The State issued a change order for over $400,000,000 within 2 weeks
Less Moore getting bigger kickbacks?
Or Jerry Brown’s electric train.
Denver’s new airport in Kansas needs refurbishing already?............
****************************************
Uh - It’s in Colorado. How’s your coffee this morning?
Their automated baggage system basically crashed before turn-on.
Seriously.
They are getting by without it are they not?
I once worked for a shipping company that had arranged for each of it’s ships to be a different company. Liability was a finite figure.
The insurance company will pay a set amount. Legal dark magic kicks in after that.
I’d bet the Europeans could build one for $100 million. They’re socialists so they obstruct private initiatives like no-one’s business.
Since then, national economic conditions have deteriorated and material costs have increased. ..
LIES.
It’s his grift operation and he wants it increased.
Probably at least quadruple. Bid low to get the contract, then find all the "extra" stuff.
And it would be beautiful................
More $$$ piled on the national debt.
How much will the shipping company pay?? My guess is $0.00.
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