Maryland Leaders Mark 2-Year Anniversary of Deadly Key Bridge Collapse

State and local officials remember the tragedy and vow to rebuild the vital economic artery

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:53pm

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State and local leaders gathered near the collapse site of Baltimore's Key Bridge on Thursday to remember the six construction workers who were killed when the bridge was struck by a cargo ship two years ago. The bridge collapse shut down the main shipping channel to the Port of Baltimore and crippled many businesses. Now, the focus is on rebuilding the Key Bridge, with crews already laying the foundation for the new structure.

Why it matters

The Key Bridge was a vital economic and transportation artery for the region, connecting thousands of Maryland commuters and commercial vehicles daily. The Port of Baltimore generates an annual economic impact of more than $70 billion and links more than 273,000 jobs to its activities, so the bridge collapse had a major impact on the state's economy.

The details

On March 26, 2024, the 948-foot cargo ship Dali lost electrical power and crashed into the bridge, causing it to crumble into the Patapsco River. Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge around 1:30 a.m. were knocked into the water and killed. The bridge collapse shut down the main shipping channel to the Port of Baltimore and crippled many businesses. State engineers are now laying the foundation for the new bridge, with the current target to reopen the Key Bridge to traffic by the end of 2030.

  • On March 26, 2024, the cargo ship Dali crashed into the Key Bridge, causing it to collapse.
  • Two years after the deadly collapse, state and local leaders gathered at the site on March 26, 2026 to remember the tragedy.

The players

Wes Moore

The Governor of Maryland who honored the construction workers who died and recognized how Maryland responded in the days and weeks following the collapse.

Chris Van Hollen

A Maryland Senator who said he will never forget that "dark day," but "out of this tragedy, Maryland came together" and secured full federal funding for the bridge's rebuild.

Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Suazo-Sandoval, Miguel Luna, Jose Lopez, and Carlos Hernandez

The six construction workers who were killed when the Key Bridge collapsed.

Jim Harkness

The Chief Engineer for the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) who said that while much of the work is still happening below the surface, progress on rebuilding the bridge is moving quickly.

Brandon Scott

The Mayor of Baltimore who said the city was "forever changed by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which claimed the lives of six people who were working through the night to make our city better."

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What they’re saying

“We remember the shock, we remember the sorrow, we remember the prayers.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland

“March 26, 2024, is a date etched forever into the story of Maryland, not only because of the horror, but for the heroism we witnessed. We will never forget the six patriots who were taken from us, for they are not gone who live in the hearts of others. Today, we honor the victims, their families, and every Marylander who stepped up to serve—showing what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland

“Federal Team Maryland also fought tooth and nail to secure a 100% federal cost-match for the bridge replacement with the Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act, and since we passed that legislation, we have been making steady progress in the effort to build an even stronger, safer bridge. That federal funding commitment is locked into law—and we will continue working with the Department of Transportation and our state partners until the job is done.”

— Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Senator

“Two years ago, Baltimore was forever changed by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which claimed the lives of six people who were working through the night to make our city better. As we mark this anniversary, we continue to wrap our arms around their families and loved ones, and express gratitude to all of our first responders for their service and dedication”

— Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore

“We're grateful for the first responders who acted so quickly, and we're focused on what comes next—keeping our roads safe, supporting our residents and businesses, and continuing the work to rebuild and strengthen this region.”

— Kathy Klausmeier, Baltimore County Executive

What’s next

The current target to reopen the Key Bridge to traffic is by the end of 2030. In the coming months, final cost and timeline negotiations for the bridge rebuild are expected.

The takeaway

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a devastating tragedy for Maryland, but the state's resilience and commitment to rebuilding this vital economic artery have been on full display. The bridge's reconstruction is a top priority, and the state is working quickly to get the job done while honoring the memory of those who lost their lives.