Maryland Transportation Authority photo.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will cost the state an estimated $141 million in lost toll revenue over six years and may bring toll increases a year sooner than expected.
That projected loss makes up the lion’s share of the revised forecast that includes a decrease in toll revenues across all facilities.
“The forecast reflects a $153 million decline in toll revenues throughout the 2024 through 2030 forecast period,” Chantel Green, director of finance for the authority, said during a meeting of the Maryland Transportation Authority board Friday. “The majority of the reduction is a result of reduced revenue associated with the closure of the Key Bridge.”
Six people died on March 26 when the Dali, a 984-foot cargo ship, hit the bridge , sending the center span tumbling into the Patapsco River and closing shipping lanes to the Port of Baltimore. The shipping channel was reopened on June 11, nearly three months after the crash.
The collapse of the span also reduced the number of facilities in the Maryland Transporation Authority system from eight to seven, including three bridges, two tunnels and two turnpikes.