The Big Dig on the Key Bridge

What this episode covers

Two years ago, Maryland woke up to the shocking news that the Francis Scott Key Bridge had collapsed into the Patapsco River after being hit by the cargo ship Dali. The tragedy claimed the lives of six men who were working on the half-century-old bridge, taking with it one of the state’s busiest interstate connectors and a vital beltway link for the East Baltimore community. As crews sifted through the wreckage, conversation soon turned to the murkier questions of how the bridge will be replaced, the cost, and who will pay for it. The economic and human impact of the collapse is a chance to think broadly about other forms of regional transit and how we satisfy all the competing interests while still getting the project done efficiently. Ian Coss, host of the acclaimed podcast, The Big Dig, hosted a special live taping on Tuesday, March 31st at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, covering these questions and more. Guests include: - U.S. Congressman Johnny Olszewski - Samantha J. Biddle, Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Transportation - Arkia Wade of Turner Station Conservation Teams and founder/CEO of Neighborhood Companions, Inc. - Klaus Philipsen, president of the architecture and urban design firm ArchPlan Inc. - WYPR reporter Wambui Kamau, along with other special guests The podcast was produced by WYPR's Executive Producer, Amy Walters