ROUNDUP: Gov. Moore Marks Two Year Anniversary of Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse as Rebuild Continues

ANNAPOLIS, MD — This week, Governor Wes Moore marked the two-year anniversary of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore. The governor joined Maryland leaders in honoring the six roadworkers who were lost; highlighting the resilience of the Port of Baltimore; and marking significant progress on the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild—the fastest-moving large infrastructure project in the United States.

See more about how Governor Moore marked the anniversary below:

CNN: Maryland’s Key Bridge collapsed two years ago. Here’s what we learned about the work on a new one.

CNN’s Dana Bash and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore took an exclusive tour of the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and where the new bridge is being built. Moore said the new bridge will open in 2030. “This tragedy happened under my watch as governor, and I want to be the governor to cut the ribbon to reopen the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” Moore said.

Marketplace: Two years later, Marylanders still feel the loss of the Key Bridge

Maryland Governor Wes Moore said that he knows commuters like Couslin are tired of the traffic.

“He is part of the reason we’re working so hard,” Moore said. “The reason we're down here making sure this bridge can get rebuilt as fast as possible is because I want to shorten his commute.”

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“We’ve got to not just plan for the present. We have got to prepare for the future and how we think maritime communications, maritime operations and maritime commerce is going to continue to evolve,” Moore said.

Maryland designed the bulk of the new bridge in 14 months — a process that the state said usually takes, on average, seven years. It was also able to expedite environmental review.

The Baltimore Sun: Wes Moore: Two years after Key Bridge tragedy, Maryland is rebuilding | GUEST COMMENTARY

And to put the pace of this rebuild in context, look at other major bridge projects. The Gordie Howe Bridge took years just to get permitting. The Texas Harbor Bridge took 13 years of planning.

Yet while the Dali struck the Key Bridge during my tenure, I plan to be the governor who cuts the ribbon to reopen it. Our administration has taken decisive action by securing federal emergency funding, fast-tracking environmental reviews, mobilizing design-build partnerships and continuing close cooperation with the federal administration to accelerate reconstruction.

In January, I met with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to advance our federal-state partnership focused on controlling costs, mitigating risk and delivering the best outcomes for Maryland, the region and the country. As the secretary has noted, this is the fastest-moving large infrastructure project in the United States of America. And we plan on keeping it that way.

At a time when too many people wonder whether building great, big things is still possible in our country, Maryland is proving that it is. We will continue to recover, rebuild and rise together. And we will keep moving forward until the new Key Bridge arches above Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront skyline.

Maryland Matters: ‘We remember the sorrow’: The Key Bridge collapse, two years later

As an early morning haze dissipated over the Patapsco River on Thursday, a metallic drumbeat punctuated the crisp March air.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

It is the sound of progress. Or more specifically, a hammer driving a towering steel pile into the riverbed — one of more than a thousand that will make up the foundation of the new Francis Scott Key Bridge.

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Work is well underway to replace the destroyed bridge, using federal funds appropriated by Congress. Much of the old one has been removed from the construction site, including all of the decks on which cars and trucks once traveled.

Several sections of the old bridge piers remain in the water. Those may not be removed for years, said Jim Harkness, chief engineer at the Maryland Transportation Authority, as construction crews wait for the proper time, when the right equipment is on site.

Though the new bridge isn’t fully designed — that milestone is expected in June — the construction effort is moving ahead, beginning with the installation of the steel piles in the riverbed, some of which are 8 feet wide and 200 feet long.

“Getting to a 70% design-build can take up to 5 to 7 years,” Moore said. “This extraordinary team got it done in 14 months. And so, there’s been a historic speed that we’ve been able to move at, but we have not at all had to compromise safety.”

WYPR: Families and Maryland leaders mark second anniversary as Key Bridge rebuild moves forward

Officials and families gathered Thursday along the Patapsco River to mark the second anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse that killed six roadworkers. The remembrance included a moment of silence in honor of the lives lost.

Leaders spoke over the hammering of crews installing protective pylons on the new bridge.

Gov. Wes Moore said the project remains on track and has federal support, despite past clashes with president Donald Trump.

“In January, I met with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy,” Moore said. “As Secretary Duffy has noted, this is the fastest-moving large infrastructure project in the United States, and we plan on keeping it that way.”

He added that he and Duffy are also working closely on the American Legion Bridge connecting Maryland and Virginia.

“We remain committed to rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge with intentionality, speed and safety,” Moore said. “I’ll work with anybody to make sure we see that happen.”

FOX45: Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland officials mark 2 years since Baltimore bridge collapse

Gov. Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Miller, and other elected officials expressed condolences to the victims and their families before providing updates on the construction of the new bridge, which is expected to be open to traffic by the end of 2030.

“The only thing we knew that morning was that we were now looking at a catastrophe that this state had never seen before,” Moore said.

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The governor said it’s about focusing on speed and cost effectiveness, without compromising safety: “We worked in partnership with our federal partners. We were able to cut the red tape and streamline the process.”

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