Dive Brief:
- The Maryland Transportation Authority Board (MTAB) voted unanimously Monday to build a $765 million replacement for the 75-year-old Harry Nice Bridge, which spans the Potomac River, according to the Associated Press.
- The current bridge has only two lanes and is the frequent site of backups and traffic jams. The new bridge, which will retain the name of the 50th governor of Maryland, will have four lanes and include a bicycle and pedestrian path.
- Before the state made changes to the design of the new bridge, the cost was estimated at almost $1 billion. The AP reported that the MTAB will pay for the bridge with a combination of cash and debt.
Dive Insight:
The state already had a plan to replace the aging bridge, but according to the MTAB, it will be completed seven years faster than outlined in the original schedule. If left in commission, the MTAB said the bridge would have required extensive repairs. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said the state has dedicated itself to replacing the bridge as quickly as possible, using the most efficient and affordable methods.
Maryland also recently began a $5 million, four-year feasibility study of a potential $7 billion third span over the Chesapeake Bay. The study will consider financing and environmental impact, as well as evaluate potential locations for the new bridge, as part of the effort to ease traffic on the existing Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If left unaddressed, the Maryland Department of Transportation said the bridge could cause 13-mile backups by 2040.
Virginia also had a recent major bridge announcement. Gov. Terry McAuliffe revealed that the state had secured the $756 million in funding necessary to build a second Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel. The 17.6-mile, two-lane tunnel will run parallel to the existing one. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission (CBBT) said it will finance construction with a $338.5 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program federal bond, a $50-million Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank bond and a $321.5 million revenue bond. A Dragados USA-led joint venture will perform the work under a contract for $756 million.