The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) raised concerns about the cost of rebuilding Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and traffic congestion in Maryland. 

On Tuesday, USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy said he plans to meet with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to discuss the increased estimated cost of the rebuild and congestion along the I-495 and I-270 corridor. 

“I look forward to discussing the urgent matter of relieving severe congestion on the American Legion Memorial Bridge and getting the Francis Scott Key Bridge project back on track with Governor Moore,” Duffy said. 

It is currently unclear when the meeting will take place. 

WJZ has reached out to the governor’s office for comment. 

Estimated cost to rebuild Key Bridge

The Key Bridge rebuild project was initially projected to cost about $2 billion. However, in November, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) shared an updated estimate of $4.3 billion to $5.2 billion. 

According to the MDTA, the cost increase is due to a dramatic rise in “material costs for all aspects of the project.” Officials said the preliminary estimates were prepared less than two weeks after the bridge collapsed in March 2024, and the new estimates came as design and pre-construction phases progressed.  

The MDTA also said the project would be completed by 2030, rather than 2028. 

The new Key Bridge will have two 12-foot lanes in each direction and is expected to have a lifespan of 100 years. 

In December 2024, state lawmakers confirmed that the federal government would be covering the full cost of the rebuild after securing funding in a federal spending bill. 

Duffy said he sent a letter to Gov. Moore in September, raising concerns about the bridge rebuild and questioning the proposed budget and timeline. 

Maryland traffic concerns 

In the letter Tuesday, Duffy also said the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking public input on accelerating the reconstruction of the American Legion Memorial Bridge in Montgomery County. The move aims to reduce traffic congestion on I-495 and I-270, which commuters use to travel between Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

“Governor Moore’s lack of action on the American Legion Bridge corridor is holding back progress on one of the nation’s most critical transportation routes,” FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster said in a statement.

The concerns come after Washington, D.C., was rated number one in the U.S. for worst traffic congestion, Duffy said, citing a Consumer Affairs report.

“Maryland’s highways help connect thousands to our nation’s capital, and as part of our effort to revitalize the area and make it safe and beautiful, holding leaders accountable at every level is essential to making sure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently,” Duffy said in a statement. 

Maryland’s attorney general announced a settlement has been reached Monday with Cracker Barrel over allegations of disability discrimination.

Back in December of 2024, a group of students with autism were denied service at a Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Maryland. Each of those students will receive several thousand dollars, and the company has agreed to revise and strengthen its policies.

News4 reported on December 2024 protest outside the restaurant after the group of 11 students with autism as well as seven staff members were not allowed to sit down and enjoy a meal at the restaurant.

The students were part of a life skills learning trip, according to school officials. They called ahead and were told they didn’t need a reservation, but when they got there, they were not accommodated. An employee asked that the restaurant be removed from a list of businesses willing to participate in the community based instruction, which helps students develop social and life skills.

At the time, Cracker Barrel said it was having a staffing challenge and later said it fired a general manager and two employees over the incident.

Maryland’s attorney general launched an investigation.

While Cracker Barrel denied the allegations, it did agree to the settlement. Cracker Barrel will pay each affected student $7,500, donate $17,500 to the Dr. James Craik Elementary School programs that support students with developmental disabilities and strengthen its public accommodation policy nationwide to ensure it’s in compliance with disability rights laws, according to the attorney general.

“This settlement compensates these students and their school while requiring Cracker Barrel to update its policies – advancing inclusion and accessibility not just across Maryland, but across the entire country,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement.

While the students didn’t get to eat inside the restaurant, they did place a to-go order. Under the settlement, Cracker Barrel agreed to pay the school nearly $450 for the cost of the meals and transportation that day.

Cracker Barrel also agreed to contribute $9,000 to the Civil Rights Enforcement Fund, which supports education, outreach and enforcement efforts across Maryland.

News4 reached out to Cracker Barrel for a statement but did not get a response.