The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has sparked a call for urgent action from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Maryland Democrats. The bridge collapse, which occurred last week, has led to a disruption in the Port of Baltimore, a crucial hub for the U.S. economy.
Secretary Buttigieg and Maryland officials are urging Congress to authorize additional federal funding to rebuild the bridge, citing the economic impact of the port’s closure. The Department of Transportation has already allocated $60 million in emergency funding, but experts estimate that the full cost of reconstruction could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland emphasized the national significance of the Port of Baltimore, stating that the bridge collapse is not just a local tragedy but a national economic catastrophe. Mayor Brandon Scott echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of the port for industries across the country.
President Biden has pledged federal funding to cover the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge, but his proposal has faced pushback from Republican lawmakers and some within his own party. Concerns have been raised about holding shipowners accountable for the collapse before committing federal dollars to reconstruction efforts.
Engineering experts anticipate that clearing the debris from the bridge collapse will take place in the next few weeks, but the full recovery of the Port of Baltimore could take years. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is covering the cost of debris removal, while the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is expected to be a long-term project.
As discussions continue in Congress about authorizing additional funding for the bridge reconstruction, the economic impact of the port’s closure remains a pressing concern for officials at both the state and federal levels.
