The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has issued a request for proposals for design-and-build teams to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed on 26 March after being hit by a container ship.

The 2.6km-long structure was used by 30,000 vehicles a day to cross the Patapsco River.

The MDTA is asking that the designer and builder work “side-by-side” across a two-phase contract, and collaborate with the project’s stakeholders.

Bruce Gartner, MDTA’s executive director, said: “The rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is a massive effort. We need as many partners as possible pulling in one direction to help us accomplish our goals of reconnecting communities.”

The authority hosted a virtual industry forum on 7 May, which attracted the attention of 1,700 contractors, consultants and subcontractors.Estimates for the cost of the work were between $1bn and $3bn; President Biden has said this will be covered by the federal government.

In May, Italian contractor Webuild, alongside MIT professor Carlo Ratti and French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, put forward a longer, cable-stayed design to replace the fallen bridge.

The deadline for proposals is 24 June.

The rebuilt bridge is due to be completed in the autumn of 2028.