Key Bridge contractor loss: Republicans slam Moore; Democrats call for transparency

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Democratic leadership at the local, state and federal levels are urging transparency in the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge — while Republicans reacted more strongly — following Tuesday’s announcement that Maryland was dissolving its contract with a firm slated to rebuild it.

“I support all actions to ensure the Key Bridge project moves forward with the urgency, focus, and resolve this moment demands,” U.S. Rep. Johnny Olszewski Jr., a Maryland Democrat, said in a statement. “We must also ensure the public remains fully informed every step of the way, with clear and consistent communication about progress, challenges, and costs.”

Citing exorbitant costs, the state canceled its contract with Nebraska-based Kiewit Infrastructure as the bridge’s rebuild prepares to move into Phase 2 of construction.

“… [A]fter weeks of engagement, it became evident that the contractor’s proposed price and timeline for moving forward was unreasonably high and therefore unacceptable. This was informed by the state’s independent cost estimates,” Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. “I concluded that accepting this proposal was not in the best interest of the people of Maryland and the American people. And I will not move forward with any arrangement that fails that test.”

The governor then took to the social media platform X, assuring in a post that work on the project will continue and won’t be slowed, though the state is actively seeking to contract with a new company to complete it.

“We are securing the right partners to complete this mission,” he wrote Tuesday afternoon. “The Key Bridge will be rebuilt safely, QUICKLY, and cost-efficiently — no exceptions.” 

But Republican leadership in the state are dubious about Moore’s intentions regarding the contract’s cancellation. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, R-Allegany, said the governor is attempting to “couch this action as one to protect taxpayers from soaring costs.”

“This alleged off-ramp will prove to be an on-ramp for more delays and excuses from the Moore Administration,” House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy, R-Frederick, said. “At the end of the day, the Administration’s mishandling of this crisis will prove even more costly for Marylanders with an even longer timeline for completion. Our citizens deserve better.” 

On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by the container ship Dali, sending it crumbling into the Potomac River and killing six road workers.

The Port of Baltimore was closed for 11 weeks as crews cleaned steel and debris from the channel.

The cost of replacement is currently estimated to be between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion with a projected completion in 2030.

At the time of the collapse, President Joe Biden stated that the federal government would foot the bill for the bridge’s reconstruction — a promise that has, at times, appeared tenuous under the Trump administration, largely due to cost.

In a statement Tuesday, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said President Donald Trump’s administration is “always working to secure the best possible team for hardworking American taxpayers.”

“It’s my job to ensure the American people’s tax dollars are used efficiently and that major projects are completed on time and on budget,” Duffy said. “We’re putting taxpayers and their priorities first.”

Released Wednesday, a University of Maryland, Baltimore County poll of 666 adults living in Baltimore City and 602 living in Baltimore County conducted between April 14 and 19 found that 67% of city residents and 84% of county residents responded that the bridge’s collapse has had “some” or “a great deal” of impact on life in the Baltimore-metro area.

The margin of error is plus-or-minus 3.8% for the city and plus-or-minus 4% for the county. The poll was conducted prior to the announcement that the state’s contract with Kiewit was canceled.

Baltimore County Republicans took to social media Tuesday to slam Moore for the cost of the rebuild and its timeline.

House Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-Baltimore County, wrote in a post on X that “thankfully,” the federal government is overseeing Moore’s spending.

“… [W]hen someone else is paying the bill, cost is not a priority,” Szeliga wrote.

Del. Robin Grammer Jr., R-Baltimore County, posted to X that Moore is “dropping the ball on this project.”

“With the Key Bridge down, eastern Baltimore County is stranded,” he wrote.

Democratic representatives in the state expressed their continued support of the project and Moore’s ability to see it through, but urged transparency between the state and the public as it moves forward.

The Democratic majority of the Maryland congressional delegation — Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, and Reps. Steny Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney and Olszewski — issued a joint statement after news broke of the canceled contract Tuesday, saying that replacing the bridge is an “economic imperative” and pledging to do all they can to “support the construction of a stronger and safer bridge over the Patapsco.”

“As a matter of national significance, it must move forward efficiently so we are encouraged that the early stages of reconstruction work will continue while the state seeks a more cost-effective contract,” the delegation said.

A spokesperson for Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, similarly said in a Wednesday statement that rebuilding the Key Bridge is “necessary for Baltimore, our state, and the region,” adding that the mayor’s office trusts that the state’s decision to “deliver a high-quality product in the fastest timeframe.”

Dakarai Turner, a spokesperson for Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, a Democrat, said Wednesday that projects the scale of the Key Bridge “require ongoing review to ensure costs are justified, partnerships are effective, and the public interest is protected.”

“We support a process that prioritizes both urgency and accountability, because rebuilding the Key Bridge the right way is just as important as rebuilding it quickly,” Turner stated. 

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman’s office did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

This story has been updated with Scott’s statement.