Francis Scott Key Bridge (Round 3 I think)

[1995hoo]

Elon Musk's "Boring Company" has a tweet offering to build a one-mile tunnel for free. I'd laugh if people nominated the Key Bridge location and Musk then actually selected that as the winning location (though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic, and of course I recognize the concerns about hazmat carriers in tunnels that factor into the practicality of building one in that location).

https://x.com/boringcompany/status/2013076509624521033

[PColumbus73]

Elon Musk's "Boring Company" has a tweet offering to build a one-mile tunnel for free. I'd laugh if people nominated the Key Bridge location and Musk then actually selected that as the winning location (though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic, and of course I recognize the concerns about hazmat carriers in tunnels that factor into the practicality of building one in that location).

https://x.com/boringcompany/status/2013076509624521033

Plot Twist: It'll utilize the same dimensions as the Hyperloop tunnels in Las Vegas. Perfect for an Interstate highway.

[LilianaUwU]

God knows Elon Musk is a reasonable person who would hold on to his promise.

[vdeane]

(though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic

Given that the portion of the bridge over water was itself a mile long, and the bridge itself around two miles, I'd say probably not.

[ElishaGOtis]

(though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic

Given that the portion of the bridge over water was itself a mile long, and the bridge itself around two miles, I'd say probably not.

They do offer pedestrian tunnels... though admittedly the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge may be a better location for such...

12' max diameter is not going to work for any public roadway. I'd say save further discussion of the tunnels for fictional.

[Max Rockatansky]

(though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic

Given that the portion of the bridge over water was itself a mile long, and the bridge itself around two miles, I'd say probably not.

They do offer pedestrian tunnels... though admittedly the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge may be a better location for such...

12' max diameter is not going to work for any public roadway. I'd say save further discussion of the tunnels for fictional.

Just throw the wreckage of the original Key Bridge back in the river and put glass around it.  Presto, you have a bridge and a tunnel...everyone is happy!

No word on what the dolphins would make of this tunnel/bridge recycling project though...

[PColumbus73]

(though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic

Given that the portion of the bridge over water was itself a mile long, and the bridge itself around two miles, I'd say probably not.

They do offer pedestrian tunnels... though admittedly the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge may be a better location for such...

12' max diameter is not going to work for any public roadway. I'd say save further discussion of the tunnels for fictional.

Just throw the wreckage of the original Key Bridge back in the river and put glass around it.  Presto, you have a bridge and a tunnel...everyone is happy!

No word on what the dolphins would make of this tunnel/bridge recycling project though...

Bill it as an 'artificial reef', boom, environmental stewardship!

[1995hoo]

(though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic

Given that the portion of the bridge over water was itself a mile long, and the bridge itself around two miles, I'd say probably not.

They do offer pedestrian tunnels... though admittedly the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge may be a better location for such...

12' max diameter is not going to work for any public roadway. I'd say save further discussion of the tunnels for fictional.

It would still be funny if a bunch of people nominated it.

[PColumbus73]

(though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic

Given that the portion of the bridge over water was itself a mile long, and the bridge itself around two miles, I'd say probably not.

They do offer pedestrian tunnels... though admittedly the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge may be a better location for such...

12' max diameter is not going to work for any public roadway. I'd say save further discussion of the tunnels for fictional.

It would still be funny if a bunch of people nominated it.

My first thought would be to sell them a tunnel to Hell

[Max Rockatansky]

(though I have no idea whether a tunnel there could be one mile or less once you factor in the gradient needed for truck traffic

Given that the portion of the bridge over water was itself a mile long, and the bridge itself around two miles, I'd say probably not.

They do offer pedestrian tunnels... though admittedly the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge may be a better location for such...

12' max diameter is not going to work for any public roadway. I'd say save further discussion of the tunnels for fictional.

It would still be funny if a bunch of people nominated it.

My first thought would be to sell them a tunnel to Hell

Was construction subcontracted to the Union Aerospace Corporation?

[Henry]

It's hard to believe that March 26 will mark the second anniversary of the bridge's collapse...

[Beltway]

It's hard to believe that March 26 will mark the second anniversary of the bridge's collapse...

Posters are ripping MDTA on their Facebook page for the lack of progress. The test piles are part of Preliminary Engineering and there has been no Construction Notice to Proceed or concrete indication of when it might occur.

[Rothman]

I don't see any poster flare-up on MDTA's recent posts, which mainly have to do with safe driving and weather on this page, anyway:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrnUN63bZ/

[Beltway]

"I don't see any poster flare-up on MDTA's recent posts"

From the latest post, plenty of derision (not necessarily do I agree) --

In the book, "The Time Machine," by H.G. Wells, the time traveler goes to the year 802701.
Oddly, the Key Bridge still isn't done by that year

There's science fiction (time travel) and there's fantasy (thinking the Bridge will get built)!

I'd really love to see an accounting of the money. I can't imagine how much local politicians are making off this project.

The Cleveland Browns will win Super Bowl before this Bridge is Done. also possibly the Buffalo Bills

The Bills will have obviated their Super Bowl losses -- by winning four bowls in four years!

Maybe even the Landover Alleged Semi Professional Football Team!

Union guys standing around for photos like usual.

I'd really love to see an accounting of the money. I can't imagine how much local politicians are making off this project.

Brandon Scott and Wes Moore are funneling money out of this project through their nonprofits and will continue to do so for years. Somebody needs to pay for these expensive SUVs and take lavish trips !

I don't see the governor down there and looking at it or the idiot you got for a mayor gets stupid? He's been going to harbor for 2 years. He ain't made it yet but if you . He really be really something but he ain't getting in the water. He's got to be out of his mind.

I can't wait to see how much money will be siphoned out of this budget to some corrupt politicians that have created fictitious shell companies! Don't forget "Gov. Moore taxes" kick backs.

[Max Rockatansky]

It's hard to believe that March 26 will mark the second anniversary of the bridge's collapse...

I think you reopened Pandora's box.

[JayhawkCO]

It's hard to believe that March 26 will mark the second anniversary of the bridge's collapse...

I think you reopened Pandora's box.

Unfortunately, I don't see hope remaining.

[Max Rockatansky]

It's hard to believe that March 26 will mark the second anniversary of the bridge's collapse...

I think you reopened Pandora's box.

Unfortunately, I don't see hope remaining.

Tends to happen when the box (or is it Pandora's Capsule?) is forced closed and opened a couple times. 

[Beltway]

Well, after 24 months, with no CNTP, it really can't be called an "emergency" any more. I predicted this outcome in the beginning.

At this point -- nearly 24 months later -- it's hard to keep calling this an "emergency." Emergencies are measured in days and weeks. What we have now is a multi‑year, federally funded megaproject with a fixed design, a fixed contractor, and a fixed schedule. The "emergency" label has become a rhetorical shield for decisions that would normally require full federal review.

And that's the real problem. The emergency declaration didn't just accelerate debris removal and channel reopening (which were legitimate emergency actions). It was then stretched far beyond its intended scope to justify bypassing the normal NEPA process for a permanent replacement structure. A five‑year, multi‑billion‑dollar bridge project is not emergency response -- it's capital planning. Under federal law, that level of impact and expenditure normally triggers a full NEPA Environmental Impact Statement, not a categorical exclusion (CATEX) or expedited documentation.

The result is a design that was effectively locked in before the public ever saw alternatives, before long‑term operational impacts were evaluated, and before the region had any meaningful opportunity to weigh in. That's not how NEPA is supposed to work. NEPA isn't a paperwork exercise; it's the mechanism that forces agencies to consider alternatives, disclose impacts, and justify the chosen path. When you skip that step, you skip the part where the public gets to participate.

Two years in, the "emergency" justification has outlived the emergency itself. At this stage, the project should be treated for what it is: a major federal undertaking that warrants the same full NEPA EIS process every other megaproject of this scale is required to undergo.

[Max Rockatansky]

In the book, "The Time Machine," by H.G. Wells, the time traveler goes to the year 802701.
Oddly, the Key Bridge still isn't done by that year

I don't recall much evidence of current day civilization still being around when the Morlocks were running amok in 802,701 A.D.  For all you know the Key Bridge could have been rebuilt and disintegrated over the course of time.  The Eloi were living in ruined communism future-tech cities and being harvested like cattle. 

[Rothman]

"I don't see any poster flare-up on MDTA's recent posts"

From the latest post, plenty of derision (not necessarily do I agree) --

In the book, "The Time Machine," by H.G. Wells, the time traveler goes to the year 802701.
Oddly, the Key Bridge still isn't done by that year

There's science fiction (time travel) and there's fantasy (thinking the Bridge will get built)!

I'd really love to see an accounting of the money. I can't imagine how much local politicians are making off this project.

The Cleveland Browns will win Super Bowl before this Bridge is Done. also possibly the Buffalo Bills

The Bills will have obviated their Super Bowl losses -- by winning four bowls in four years!

Maybe even the Landover Alleged Semi Professional Football Team!

Union guys standing around for photos like usual.

I'd really love to see an accounting of the money. I can't imagine how much local politicians are making off this project.

Brandon Scott and Wes Moore are funneling money out of this project through their nonprofits and will continue to do so for years. Somebody needs to pay for these expensive SUVs and take lavish trips !

I don't see the governor down there and looking at it or the idiot you got for a mayor gets stupid? He's been going to harbor for 2 years. He ain't made it yet but if you . He really be really something but he ain't getting in the water. He's got to be out of his mind.

I can't wait to see how much money will be siphoned out of this budget to some corrupt politicians that have created fictitious shell companies! Don't forget "Gov. Moore taxes" kick backs.

I don't see that in their most recent post, or in either of the two before it:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JGX47aCLw/

[Rothman]

It's hard to believe that March 26 will mark the second anniversary of the bridge's collapse...

I think you reopened Pandora's box.

Unfortunately, I don't see hope remaining.

Tends to happen when the box (or is it Pandora's Capsule?) is forced closed and opened a couple times. 

I think he's O. Henry without the surprise ending.

[Beltway]

I don't see that in their most recent post, or in either of the two before it:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JGX47aCLw/

That is not the MDTA page for this project

[Beltway]

Mr. Poster:
In the book, "The Time Machine," by H.G. Wells, the time traveler goes to the year 802701.
Oddly, the Key Bridge still isn't done by that year

I don't recall much evidence of current day civilization still being around when the Morlocks were running amok in 802,701 A.D.  For all you know the Key Bridge could have been rebuilt and disintegrated over the course of time.  The Eloi were living in ruined communism future-tech cities and being harvested like cattle. 

I replied to that one yesterday --

Then he travels to another future year, to find out how to get the job done, travels back, and gets the bridge built.

[kphoger]

"I don't see any poster flare-up on MDTA's recent posts"

From the latest post, plenty of derision (not necessarily do I agree) --

In the book, "The Time Machine," by H.G. Wells, the time traveler goes to the year 802701.
Oddly, the Key Bridge still isn't done by that year

There's science fiction (time travel) and there's fantasy (thinking the Bridge will get built)!

I'd really love to see an accounting of the money. I can't imagine how much local politicians are making off this project.

The Cleveland Browns will win Super Bowl before this Bridge is Done. also possibly the Buffalo Bills

The Bills will have obviated their Super Bowl losses -- by winning four bowls in four years!

Maybe even the Landover Alleged Semi Professional Football Team!

Union guys standing around for photos like usual.

I'd really love to see an accounting of the money. I can't imagine how much local politicians are making off this project.

Brandon Scott and Wes Moore are funneling money out of this project through their nonprofits and will continue to do so for years. Somebody needs to pay for these expensive SUVs and take lavish trips !

I don't see the governor down there and looking at it or the idiot you got for a mayor gets stupid? He's been going to harbor for 2 years. He ain't made it yet but if you . He really be really something but he ain't getting in the water. He's got to be out of his mind.

I can't wait to see how much money will be siphoned out of this budget to some corrupt politicians that have created fictitious shell companies! Don't forget "Gov. Moore taxes" kick backs.

Echo.

I bet you'd really love to see an accounting of the money.  Can you imagine how much local politicians are making off this project?

[Beltway]

[Rothmann] "I don't see any poster flare-up on MDTA's recent posts"

I bet you'd really love to see an accounting of the money.  Can you imagine how much local politicians are making off this project?

I was quoting posters -- not myself.