Baltimore to Receive $60 Million in Federal Funds to Rebuild
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US – April 1, 2024
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Crews started lifting the first section of Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge from the water on Saturday, utilizing federal funds amounting to $60 million. Rebuilding efforts are now underway in hopes to restore access to barges and tugboats to reach the disaster site. The Baltimore port had been severely impacted by the bridge collapse, leading to disruptions in transportation and the potential loss of numerous construction workers. President Joe Biden expressed his commitment to the city’s restoration and has planned a visit to Baltimore in the coming week.
Authorities are currently focusing on lifting a section of the bridge while leaving the collapsed portion on the bow of the Dali, the container ship responsible for the disaster. The salvage operation has been described as a “Herculean undertaking” by Tom Perez, senior adviser and assistant to President Biden. Despite the challenges, both federal and local officials are determined to expedite the debris clearing process to minimize further disruptions and to find the missing workers.
Scaled cranes have been deployed to Baltimore to assist in clearing the wreckage, which is a crucial step prior to recovery and reopening of the port. However, the process of rebuilding the collapsed bridge may take significant time. Initial estimates put the cost of the undertaking at approximately $600 million, although federal officials have warned that the final price tag could reach up to $2 billion. The final cost will depend on various factors and will require the approval of Congress for funding, similar to the aftermath of the bridge collapse in Minnesota back in 2007.
President Biden has assured Maryland lawmakers that the federal government will be actively involved in funding and supporting the bridge’s reconstruction. The Transportation Department has already provided $60 million in emergency relief funds for immediate debris clearing and the initial stages of the rebuilding process. Insurance companies may also face significant claims, potentially making the bridge collapse one of the highest shipping insurance losses in history, potentially reaching up to $4 billion.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland emphasized that the recovery efforts, conducted in a “round the clock operation”, involve coordination between various agencies and teams. Unified command, carrying out planning and engineering assessments continuously, are aiming to fast-track the lifting of debris and the subsequent rebuilding of the bridge. The current timeline for the rebirth of the bridge still remains uncertain, and the entire process is anticipated to be time-consuming, potentially lasting 18 months to several years.
