Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Maryland Democrats are calling on Congress to authorize additional federal funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it collapsed last week. Buttigieg emphasized the need for bipartisan support, citing a similar situation in Minnesota where federal funding was quickly approved after a bridge collapse. The Department of Transportation has already allocated $60 million in emergency funding, but experts estimate that the total cost of construction could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
Officials are stressing the importance of rebuilding the bridge quickly to avoid a prolonged disruption to the Port of Baltimore, which is a crucial hub for wheeled cargo such as cars and trucks. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland and Mayor Brandon Scott of Baltimore both emphasized that the impact of the bridge collapse extends far beyond the local area, describing it as a national economic catastrophe. President Biden has promised that the federal government will cover the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge, but this pledge has faced backlash from some Republican lawmakers and even members of his own party who are concerned about holding shipowners accountable.
The debris blocking a vital shipping lane to the port will be cleared in the coming weeks, but full recovery of the Port of Baltimore is expected to take many years. Engineers estimate that it will take several years to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for maintaining the shipping channel in Baltimore, will cover the cost of clearing the debris from the collapse. The push for additional federal funding reflects officials’ belief that rebuilding the bridge is crucial for the U.S. economy.
Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott both emphasized that the impact of the bridge collapse extends beyond Baltimore, affecting the national economy. They stressed the importance of securing federal funding quickly to prevent further economic disruption. The reconstruction efforts are expected to take several years, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will cover the cost of clearing the debris from the bridge collapse. President Biden’s promise to fully fund the rebuilding efforts has faced criticism from some lawmakers concerned about holding shipowners accountable.
Overall, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has sparked a call for swift action from federal lawmakers and officials to secure additional funding for reconstruction. The disruption to the Port of Baltimore is seen as a national economic crisis, with the port being a vital hub for the transportation of wheeled cargo. The rebuilding efforts are expected to take years, with the federal government committing to cover the full cost. However, there is pushback from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers regarding the federal government’s assumption of the entire cost without ensuring accountability from shipowners.
