Page 8 - Port of Baltimore - Issue 5 - 2024

PORT MESSAGES
MDOT
Reimagined Key Bridge Is on Its Way
The citizens of our state should know that
we continue to make progress on rebuilding
the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Maryland
Transportation Authority, which manages the bridge, is on
pace to complete the project during the next four years.
The reimagined Key Bridge will be built to today’s
standards and construction is set to begin in 2025.
We are still assembling the team that will deliver the
ambitious bridge project with an expedited timeline. The goal
is to have the bridge completed and open in the fall of 2028.
Our strong partnership with Maryland’s congressional
delegation continues to focus on legislation to get 100%
emergency relief funding by the federal government to
rebuild the Key Bridge. Securing 100% funding is vital, as
no state, local government or agency is prepared to cover
about a $2 billion unexpected cost. However, if Congress
only grants 90% of the funding, the State of Maryland is
prepared to fund the remaining 10%. The Key Bridge must
be, and will be, rebuilt.
As we move forward on this project, we must never
forget the six workers who lost their lives during the bridge
collapse. They will always be in our thoughts and will be
respectfully remembered when the new bridge is finished.
Thank you for your continued support, and I wish you a
very happy holiday season.
Paul J. Wiedefeld,
Maryland Transportation Secretary
EXECUTIVE VIEW
Ending the Year on a High Note
We continue to make strong progress in our
recovery from the Key Bridge incident. While
our volumes are down overall, we are seeing
significant gains. Our latest cargo numbers show our cars
and light trucks were up 33% and our breakbulk cargos were
8% year-over-year. Our full cargo numbers certainly would
have been higher but for the allision and bridge collapse.
Our container business also continues to rebound. We’re
now processing nearly 3,500 trucks a day at our Seagirt
Terminal, up from 3,300 in September. During the week of
November 4 through November 8, our Seagirt operator Ports
America Chesapeake reported 17,563 container moves, the
busiest single week of the year for containers. We are also
now handling double-stacked containers on a temporary rail
route, as CSX has completed bridge clearances at sites north
of Baltimore as part of the Howard Street Tunnel Project.
The permanent route will be completed in 2026, when the
tunnel’s reconstruction is finished.
We recently announced a new five-year contract with
Carnival Cruise Line, keeping the world’s largest cruise
provider serving the Port of Baltimore. We are delighted
that Carnival will continue offering year-round cruises
from Baltimore to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean and
New England/Canada.
The Maryland Port Administration/Port of Baltimore
has also been the recipient of two recent federal grants.
President Biden came to the Port to announce $147 million
from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports
Program for new zero-emission vehicles, equipment and
charging infrastructure that will help to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. Additionally, we received a $31 million
Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant to rebuild and
strengthen a roll-on/roll-off berth. Baltimore has led the
nation’s ports in handling cars and farm and construction
machinery for many years.
Though we got off to a challenging start in 2024, we
are ending the year on several high notes. We strongly
believe that this momentum will continue in 2025. In the
meantime, we wish you — our valued customers, partners
and supporters of the Port of Baltimore — and your families
a very happy and enjoyable holiday season.
Jonathan Daniels,
Executive Director
[6] The Port of Baltimore ■ ISSUE 5 / 2024