Federal Department of Transportation's FHWA Allocates $60 Million in Urgent Aid for Baltimore's Bridge Crisis
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the immediate availability of $60 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was damaged following a cargo container ship incident on March 26.
The FHWA's Emergency Relief program provides funding for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. The funds will be used for eligible costs associated with debris removal, demolition, detours, emergency repairs, and design and reconstruction on I-695 and the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that the federal emergency funds will help Maryland begin urgent work on the bridge, which is a vital connection for people and goods traveling along the East Coast. The I-695 corridor, of which the bridge was a part, provides a crucial link in the regional economy and national supply chains, with the Port of Baltimore being essential to these networks.
Following the incident, the channel has been closed, and all shipping traffic to Seagirt Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore has been stopped and diverted elsewhere. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the vessel allision and subsequent bridge collapse.
President Biden has expressed his commitment to helping rebuild the bridge and getting the Port of Baltimore back open. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt stated that the Emergency Relief funding announced is the first step in joint efforts to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The funds were made available following the NTSB's investigation and MDOT's application, which the FHWA has approved, making the event eligible for Emergency Relief funding. The FHWA is providing technical assistance, conducting site assessments, and administering emergency contracts for the new bridge.
Additional Emergency Relief program funding will be made available as work continues on the rebuilding of the bridge. The Maryland Department of Transportation is continuing to conduct necessary emergency operations, such as implementing detours and repairing applicable sections to protect facilities from further damage.
The Port of Baltimore and the Francis Scott Key Bridge are integral parts of the region's economy and infrastructure. With the announced $60 million in funding, the first steps have been taken towards rebuilding and restoring these vital links.
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