Sarrows Point, Md. (AP) – Almost a year after the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland presented her designs for his replacement on Tuesday, which will be protected greater and better against ship strikes.
The state's first cable bridge could be completed in 2028 and cost over $ 1.7 billion.
With his graceful outline and his sensitive design, officials said that the new bridge would modernize the Skyline from Baltimore and become a symbol of resilience, progress and economic growth. The design has two towers with cables that radiate to the deck.
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“This is a great day for the state of Maryland,” said Governor Wes Moore at a press conference late Tuesday morning. “But it is not lost that today's triumph was born from the tragedy.”
The original Key Bridge, a 2.6-kilometer steel span at the mouth of Baltimore's port, took five years to build and open for traffic in 1977. Various port -oriented industrial monks near Baltimore and allowed drivers, slightly to the drivers bypass in the city center.
The bridge was destroyed when a massive container ship lost electricity and slammed into one of its supportive columns. The collapse of March 26 killed six construction workers who filled potholes when the structure broke under them. The port of Baltimore was closed for months after the collapse, and increased traffic jams remains a problem for drivers in the entire region.
Officials quickly promised to rebuild the bridge – a long -time landmark of Baltimore and a vital transport infrastructure.
The demolition of the remaining pieces takes place in spring, with the replacement for the replacement, the officials announced on Tuesday.
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On Tuesday, they organized the press conference in the TradePoint Atlantic, a shipping center in the port of Baltimore, which played an important role in cleaning up and restoring efforts after the collapse. The facility revitalizes the location of a former Bethlehem steel mill northeast of Baltimore, since Maritime shipping continues to drive the regional economy.
“Maryland is a bridge between America and the rest of the world. We bring cars from Michigan onto the market. We bring sugar and spices to Louisiana. We bring agricultural devices from the east coast to the core country, ”said Moore. “Trade and trade are the foundation of our state, and we will continue to make investments that honor our tradition.”
In August, the state awarded a contract of 73 million US dollars for the first phase of reconstruction to Kiewit Infrastructure, a large building and engineering office,.
Officials said that the project would progress in two phases, with the first focus on the design work and other necessary steps before the start of the construction. Moore promised to employ many Marylanders throughout the process.
Paul Wiedefeld, Transport Secretary of Maryland, said the design will include the latest pier protection technology that has become more and more important because the ships are getting bigger and more freight. The bridge will also be larger to ensure more approval. He said the plans were developed, taking into account the project's cost and construction period.
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“While this is a nice bridge, it will also be a functioning bridge for a working city,” said Wiedefeld.
The federal government has agreed to cover the full price for reconstruction. The congress recently passed an expenditure calculation that included a financing provision for the project.
Officials said they expect federal taxpayers to be carried out completely by insurance payments and damage, but that could take a while. A extensive civil procedure will ultimately determine liability tasks in one of the most expensive maritime disasters in US history.
The National Transportation Safety Board has not yet published its final report on the collapse, although officials said that a loose cable in the ship's electrical switching board had probably contributed to its electricity problems. Federal agents drawn the cargo ship Dali on board last year on board a criminal investigation.