Margaret Carlisle

This document outlines the Curtis Creek Drawbridge Rehabilitation and Resiliency Project by the Maryland Transportation Authority. The project's purpose is to perform structural repairs on the existing drawbridge to ensure continuous good maintenance, protect against transportation network disruptions, accelerate completion before the Key Bridge reopens, and increase traffic safety. The planned works include removing and replacing portions of the concrete bridge deck and parapets, performing steel repairs, cleaning and painting the superstructure, installing new electrical systems, and improving lighting and traffic signals. The project is anticipated to commence with mobilization in Winter-Spring 2026 and conclude in Summer 2027, with phased traffic management to minimize disruptions.

The Capital Committee meeting agenda included the approval of the February 5, 2026, Open Session Meeting Minutes and two project approvals. Key items involved the approval for cleaning and painting structural steel at the Eastbound Bay Bridge (BB-3025-0000), with bid results showing an award amount variance. Furthermore, the committee addressed MDTA 2024-05 SBR Comprehensive Project Planning and Miscellaneous Consulting Services, ranking proposals based on personnel, work plan, and financial responsibility. An update was also provided regarding the Cleaning, Painting and Miscellaneous Structural Repairs at the Hatem Bridge (HB-3001), detailing the evaluation phase, design specifications for coating systems, cost breakdowns, and recent progress which indicated the project was 97% complete.

The Maryland Transportation Authority Capital Committee meeting included a contingent approval recommendation for MDTA 2024-04 A Structures Inspection Program & Miscellaneous Engineering Services. This program involves awarding five contracts to consultant engineering firms for routine condition inspection, reporting, design, testing, asset management, and project management services for various facility-wide assets, including bridges and tunnels. The committee also received an update regarding the demolition of existing elements of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, covering permitting, costs, removal efforts, and current status of Phase 1 and Phase 2 activities.

The meeting addressed two primary agenda items. The first involved the approval of the open session meeting minutes from February 5, 2026. The second major discussion concerned procurement BB325-0000 (later clarified as MDTA 2024-05) for cleaning and painting structural steel at the eastbound Bay Bridge, Phase One. The committee discussed the low bid submitted by Blasttec Incorporated, which was below the engineer's estimate. Committee members also inquired about the contractor's performance on other projects, such as the Hayden Bridge, and were reassured regarding the contractor's quality and covering procedures. The second item presented procurement MDTA 2024-05 for Small Business Reserve (SBR) Architectural/Engineering (A&E) services, valued at $3.5 million over five years, with MBE and VOSB goals established. The committee ultimately recommended approval for the award to Wilson T. Ballard, which was the highest-ranked proposer and the incumbent contractor. A related discussion included the agency's bridge painting program, outlining the multi-step process for selecting bridges, conducting detailed field testing (corrosion, adhesion, chalking, film thickness), identifying existing coatings, and determining appropriate containment and coating systems, emphasizing the use of a three-coat system for total removal projects.

The Finance and Administration Committee meeting materials cover several key areas for discussion and potential recommendation to the full Board. The agenda items include the review and approval of the January 15, 2026, Open Meeting Minutes (to be excluded from the summary of key topics for the current meeting). Key discussions involve the quarterly update on the investment of MDTA's funds, the review of the second quarter budget comparison for both the FY 2026 operating budget and the FY 2026 capital budget, and quarterly updates on traffic and revenue performance, noting that overall collected revenue for the quarter ending December 31, 2025, was above forecast. Further updates cover the Stay Interview Program and the Employee Drug Testing Program. The Investment Committee requested concurrence for continuation of investment strategy and associated benchmarks, as well as approval for dealer additions and deletions. The Operating Budget review highlighted that 44% of the budget was spent as of December 31, 2025, versus a 48% target, with noted variances in Contractual Services (IT Services, Software Maintenance) and Fixed Costs (Insurance, Bad Debt). The Capital Budget review showed actual spending was 28% against a 50% target for the period ending December 31, 2025, with major projects like the Key Bridge Rebuild underway.