Approximately $60 million in emergency relief funds have been allocated for the construction of a new Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), stating that the funds are now available to the Maryland Department of Transportation.
According to a DOT news release, the bridge succumbed after being hit by a cargo container ship. Although these emergency funds will not cover the entire cost of constructing a new bridge, they are viewed as an initial investment with additional funding rounds anticipated as the project progresses from preliminary design to construction stages.
"No one will ever forget the shocking images of a container vessel striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and the tragic loss of six people," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He added, "The federal emergency funds we're releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress. President Biden has been clear: the federal government will do everything it takes to help rebuild the bridge and get the Port of Baltimore back open."
Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor, shipping traffic within Seagirt Marine Terminal at Port of Baltimore was halted and rerouted, according to the news release. The Port is not only crucial for local economy but also plays a significant role in national supply chains and Interstate 695 corridor, which included this bridge. A considerable volume of goods reaching East Coast passes through this region.
Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt expressed support for President Biden's comprehensive response to this tragic incident and assured commitment from federal government towards providing all necessary resources for reconstructing the bridge. "The Emergency Relief funding announced today provides an initial down payment of funds to help Maryland manage ongoing disruptions to traffic, supply chains, and daily life, and is the first step in our joint efforts to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge," Bhatt said.
