A replacement for Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed March 26 when it was struck by a massive container ship, could be completed and open by the Fall of 2028, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.
WMAR-TV reports the department has pegged the cost for the new bridge to be between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. MDOT said it will use federal funds, insurance payouts and other sources to pay for the new bridge and minimize costs to taxpayers.
Meanwhile, work continues to remove steel and concrete debris and reopen the main channel into the Port of Baltimore. On Thursday, May 2, a large section of steel was removed from the bow of the Dali, the container ship that struck a bridge support causing the bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River and halting traffic into and out of the port.
The army Corps of Engineers expect to have the main channel open before the end of the month.
Also, workers on Wednesday, May 1, recovered the body of Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, one of six workers who died when they were on the bride when it collapsed. The body of one other worker has yet to be recovered.
