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As a native of Dundalk, Maryland, rising mechanical engineering senior Rena Crockett knows firsthand how the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge has affected local communities. The 2024 incident, which occurred when a container ship struck a support pier, created congestion and gridlock while also harming the local economy.
This summer, as part of a unique internship opportunity offered by the state of Maryland, Crockett contributed her skills and ideas to the mission of replacing the collapsed bridge—a mission that constitutes one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Maryland's history.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) partnered with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to launch the Key Bridge Rebuild (KBR) Internship Program in 2025, drawing college students from four major Maryland universities in engineering and environmental disciplines. Along with the University of Maryland (UMD), the participating institutions include Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
 Held annually from June through August, the program welcomed its second cohort in Summer 2026. Crockett is part of that cohort.
Hands-on, in-field experiences allowed the students to work alongside transportation and construction professionals while gaining practical knowledge that supplements what they’ve been learning in the classroom. Interns spent three days each week in the field and two days in the office. In the field, they shadowed MDTA inspectors and project teams observing critical construction activities and contributing to daily project operations. From accessing project plans to observing field activities as they happened, they gained a realistic understanding of their future careers.
"It’s been an absolute honor to be part of the MDTA’s KBR program,” Crockett said. “I’m grateful to be surrounded by such talented and dedicated team members whose professionalism and commitment are evident every day. The community and I are incredibly proud to witness the hardworking crews as they press forward through adverse weather conditions, bringing this meaningful structure to life.”
“I am also grateful for my professors, mentors, and the advising staff at UMD College Park. Their guidance and encouragement have shaped my academic journey and provided me with the foundation, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in my internship,” she said.
While her internship wraps up in August, the preparation and training she received will benefit Crockett as she starts her career. Throughout the summer, MDTA leaders and project experts gave presentations to share insights about their fields, industry trends, and the many pathways available within transportation and construction. Additionally, the interns attended a full-day Career Readiness Workshop focused on job searching, resumes, and interviews.
At the same time, Crockett and other interns had the opportunity to strengthen their public speaking and leadership skills while inspiring the next generation through the UMBC Sherman Scholars Program at Cherry Hill. During a STEM-focused camp, the interns taught rising third and fourth graders about the Key Bridge Rebuild. They developed a hands-on lesson which showcased the breadth of careers used to build a bridge, dressed up in personal protective equipment, and worked together to simulate driving foundation piles and learned how a bubble curtain is used to protect marine life.
To broaden their understanding of Maryland’s infrastructure network, the interns toured several major transportation and environmental projects across the state. Visits included Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge, the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge, I-95 Express Toll Lanes, Poplar Island and the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.
August 13, 2026
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