What’s the latest on the Key Bridge construction in Maryland?

More than two years after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Maryland — resulting in the deaths of six construction workers and upending a key route that thousands relied on daily — reconstruction has hit a snag.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has targeted a 2030 opening for the new bridge, but the state is now searching for a new contractor as phase 2 of the construction is set to begin.

Here's what to know.

Why does Maryland need a new contractor for the Key Bridge?

In a news release Tuesday, Moore said its contractor's asking price for the new phase of the construction was "unreasonably high and therefore unacceptable."

"I concluded that accepting this proposal was not in the best interest of the people of Maryland and the American people," Moore said. "And I will not move forward with any arrangement that fails that test."

He has directed the Maryland Department of Transportation to find a new contractor for the project to "to deliver the best deal for taxpayers" and to make sure the construction meets the state's standards.

The decision to drop Kiewit Infrastructure from the $5 billion project will not completely stall the project. Officials said Kiewit will complete the initial phase of construction.

“Work will not stop on the Key Bridge Rebuild project,” Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Bruce Gartner said in a news release. “Progress will continue, and Kiewit will fulfill their contractual obligation for Phase 1, which includes driving foundation pile and building a temporary trestle.”

Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson ensured to the Baltimore Banner that they will move as aggressively as possible to stay on schedule for their 2030 target.

The Banner reported Kiewit will received more than $700 million of federal money for its contributions.

In a statement to CBS Baltimore, Kiewit said it is "proud of the progress achieved" during the initial phase of construction.

"Although we're disappointed by this decision, we're committed to completing our current scope of phase 1 work, in addition to integral early construction packages," Kiewit said.

What happened to the Key Bridge?

Six construction workers died March 26, 2024, when a cargo ship struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, sending it collapsing into the Patapsco River.

Investigators considered the deadly accident "preventable," saying a loose wire on the 984-foot container ship led to a power failure that caused the boat to strike a pier that supported the central span of the bridge.

Federal officials said the bridge collapse impacted more than a million people in the Baltimore area.

"The collapse of one of the region's most vital infrastructure arteries brought shipping at the Port of Baltimore to a complete halt, disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of workers, rerouted traffic through communities already bearing disproportionate burdens, and triggered economic ripple effects still being felt across the state," Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown previously said.