italian architect carlo ratti proposes replacement for collapsed baltimore bridge

New Design for Baltimore’s Collapsed bridge

Following the tragic collapse of Baltimore‘s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, a collaborative team has proposed a design for its replacement. The team comprises Carlo Ratti Associati — the architecture firm led by architect and MIT professor Carlo Ratti — WeBuild, an Italian construction group, and Michel Virlogeux, a French structural engineer. The collapse in March 2024 was caused by a cargo ship which lost power and struck a pier supporting the bridge, causing a large section to fall into the water. The cause of the ship’s power failure is still under investigation, and the event has left the city with a gaping hole in its infrastructure.

Baltimore proposes a new design to replace its collapsed bridge | image © Brick Visual

the improved bridge by carlo ratti & michel virlogeux

Architecture firm Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) and engineer Michel Virlogeux envision the new Baltimore bridge with a cable-stayed design, aiming to create a new landmark at the entrance to Baltimore Harbor. The main section will have a significantly longer span, stretching 2,230 feet compared to the original 1,200 feet. This allows for deeper ship channels and reduces the risk of collisions with support pillars, which will be placed in shallower water. Meanwhile, taller ships can pass under the bridge with ease thanks to a raised clearance of 230 feet, up from the previous clearance of 185 feet. This will cater to the growing size of modern vessels and will ensure Baltimore’s port remains competitive.

To minimize disruption during construction, the new bridge will be built near the site of the original Francis Scott Key Bridge. This allows for a temporary crossing to be built quickly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers while the permanent structure takes shape. What’s more, the new bridge will have more lanes (one added in each direction) to handle Baltimore’s heavy traffic volume. It will incorporate smart technologies drawn from Carlo Ratti’s work at MIT, which will promote safe traffic management and proactive maintenance.

the cable-stayed bridge will be a landmark at the entrance to Baltimore Harbor | image © Brick Visual

a collaborative effort by an expert team

The Baltimore bridge project leverages the expertise of each team member as CRA, led by architect Carlo Ratti, brings design innovation to the table. Italian group WeBuild contributes extensive construction experience, while Michel Virlogeux, known for its work with Foster + Partners designing the world’s tallest bridge, the Millau Viaduct, brings expert structural engineering knowledge. This combined expertise, the team hopes to deliver a bridge that is more contemporary visually, and is also safe and durable for decades to come. While the proposal awaits official approval from Baltimore city and state officials, it demonstrates a promising vision for the future of this vital gateway.

a wider span improves navigation for large ships and reduces collision risk | image © Brick Visual
expertise from architect and MIT professor Carlo Ratti contributes to the project | image © Brick Visual