Maryland Gets $60 Million Worth Of Funds To Clear Debris And Start Reconstruction of Collapsed Baltimore Bridge

On Thursday, the US government swiftly allocated an initial $60 million in emergency funds to the state of Maryland. These funds are designated for clearing debris and initiating the reconstruction of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Such rapid disbursement of funds is highly unusual following a disaster of this magnitude.

Early on Tuesday, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore Harbor following a collision with a large cargo freighter that had lost power. As a result, two bodies have been found, while four individuals remain missing and are presumed dead. It is believed that they are trapped in a vehicle beneath the wreckage of concrete and steel submerged in the water.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore made a request for the $60 million on Friday, and shortly afterward, the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration swiftly approved the funding for emergency efforts. While such funding processes usually take days, President Joe Biden emphasized on Tuesday his directive to the federal government to expedite the reconstruction of the bridge. The Francis Scott Key Bridge, integral to a highway encircling Baltimore, collapsed earlier in the week after a cargo freighter lost power and collided with it.

During a press conference, Moore emphasized that the primary objective is to locate and recover the missing construction workers who were engaged in repairing the bridge when the vessel, known as the Dali, collided with a support column at around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Once this is achieved, officials aim to clear the channel to resume shipping operations, provide assistance to affected workers, families, and first responders, and commence the reconstruction of the bridge.

However, before these tasks can begin, a team of experts must devise a plan to extract the stranded vessel, which is laden with thousands of containers and ensnared by debris from the collapsed bridge. To facilitate this, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is deploying the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to assist in removing sections of the bridge, as stated by Moore.

Describing the immense challenge, Moore highlighted the colossal size of the Dali, likening it to the height of the Eiffel Tower, with the Key Bridge resting atop it, resulting in thousands of tons of steel pressing down on the ship.

Diving operations, which were halted on Wednesday night due to safety concerns, had been impeded by the sheer volume and density of debris obstructing sunlight, making it difficult for divers to see beyond a foot or two ahead of them, Moore explained.

Reports from federal officials suggest that the estimated cost of rebuilding the bridge could exceed $2 billion. The U.S. Congress will be responsible for funding the construction of a replacement bridge.

Maryland officials stated that the emergency funds allocated would facilitate mobilization, operations, and debris removal, laying the groundwork for a swift recovery. As damage assessments progress, the state may seek additional emergency funding.

The Singapore-flagged container ship Dali, en route to Sri Lanka, reported a loss of power and maneuverability before colliding with a support pylon of the bridge. The impact resulted in the collapse of a significant portion of the bridge into the Patapsco River mouth, obstructing shipping lanes and leading to the indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

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