The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, as seen from Fort Armistead Park in 2015 by Patorjk licensed under Creative Commons.

Cargo ship crash causes Baltimore Key Bridge to collapse into Patapsco River

The ship, which appeared to be experiencing electrical difficulties, crashed at 1:30 am, causing an immediate collapse of the bridge and sending vehicles as well as contractors working on bridge maintenance into the water. This story is still unfolding, with the details about the search efforts and scale of casualties expected to change. Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency, federal and local officials are offering support, and I-695 and the Port of Baltimore are closed indefinitely, with long-term impacts anticipated. (These stories may be behind paywalls.)  (Post, Baltimore Banner)  

DC reviewing northern I-295 corridor, with opportunity to make it safer

The US Department of Transportation has awarded DDOT $2 million toward the cost of a study that will explore how to redesign the I-295 corridor from South Capitol Street to the Maryland border to reconnect communities that were disrupted and partially demolished during its construction in the 1950s. Improvements would also aim to reduce traffic fatalities in the area. (This article is behind a paywall.)  (Tristan Navera / Business Journal)  

Alexandria is working on long-term pedestrian zone planning, including flood mitigation

As the city government looks at long-term planning for its King Street pedestrian zones, it plans to merge those plans with simultaneous preparation efforts for waterfront flood mitigation to improve the efficiency of the planning processes. Construction is expected to start on the flood mitigation project in fall 2025.  (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

Plans filed for 525-unit Silver Spring apartment building incorporating former Tastee Diner

The proposed building would be 30 stories tall and would include at least 78 moderately priced dwelling units. The property would also include 25,000 square feet of retail, including the preserved Tastee Diner car.  (UrbanTurf)  

80 affordable units for seniors come online at Ilda’s Overlook in Fairfax

The units, which are just north of George Mason University’s campus, are designed for seniors ages 62 or older making at or below 60% of the area median income. Construction has been ongoing since the fall of 2022.  (James Jarvis / FFXNow)  

Northern Virginia receives millions in federal funding for projects to improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure

The funds include five projects slated for Fairfax County, including new ramps and crosswalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Herndon, an improvement for Vienna’s Locust Street Trail Project, and projects that will improve safety along routes to schools.  (Fatimah Waseem / FFXNow)  

Team behind major redevelopment at St. Elizabeths appeals to Mayor’s Agent to raze buildings

A development team has plans in the works for a 650,000 mixed-use development on the site of St. Elizabeths in Congress Heights, but now must appeal to the Mayor’s Agent for permission to demolish two structures that stand in its way after the Historic Preservation Review Board denied the application. Area residents point out that the hospital buildings in question were the site of “nothing good” and that the revitalization of the area would be “a commitment to the future that honors the lived experiences of our residents.” (This article is behind a paywall).  (Tristan Navera / Business Journal)  

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