BALTIMORE, Md. 7News — Maryland transportation officials are ramping up efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay Bridge following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year. The Maryland Transportation Authority MDTA is currently planning a $145 million pier protection project to safeguard the 70-year-old Bay Bridge from modern ship strikes, with completion targeted for late 2027.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge incident has highlighted the risks posed by larger cargo vessels navigating aging infrastructure. With the Panama Canal width expansion, we’re seeing PanaMex ships that are much bigger and heavier, structural engineer Andy Herrman explained, emphasizing the need for robust designs in new bridge construction.
The Bay Bridge, which accommodates an average of 80,000 vehicles daily, is classified as ‘fracture critical,’ meaning its integrity is jeopardized if any major support structure fails. The MDTA recognizes that the bridge’s existing protective measures, such as fenders, do not match the advanced systems employed in modern bridge designs.
Planned upgrades may incorporate physical barriers like dolphins—structures designed to redirect ships away from support piers—thereby reducing collision risks.
The call for enhanced pier protection intensified following a near-miss incident on August 1, when a 50-year-old naval vessel lost steering control near the bridge, prompting a temporary traffic closure. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy warned during a congressional hearing in May about the potential for catastrophic failures across aging infrastructure nationwide.
MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner stated that plans for the new pier protection system are expected to be finalized by the end of the year, with the procurement process commencing shortly thereafter.
The MDTA is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bay Pilots, and engineers to develop solutions that include improved vessel monitoring, emergency response procedures, and innovative pier protection options.