Maryland receives initial disaster relief funding of $60 million for Key Bridge collapse cleanup
Maryland receives initial disaster relief funding of $60 million for Key Bridge collapse cleanup Maryland is receiving an initial $60 million in funding from the federal government for the cleanup of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The state has requested emergency response funding for mobilization, operations and debris recovery. The first priority is removing debris from the Patapsco River, assisted by the Army Corps of Engineers, so shipping lanes can reopen. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed gratitude for the support from President Joe Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, and all federal partners. The initial cost of the reconstruction is estimated at around 10% of the estimated cost of responding to the disaster.
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BALTIMORE – Maryland is receiving an initial $60 million in funding from the federal government as the state works to clean up the debris left after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The state sent a request letter on Wednesday for emergency response funding for mobilization, operations and debris recovery.
“We are deeply grateful to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, our federal delegation and all of our federal partners,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “I am grateful for the way the government has continued to support and support us.”
Early Tuesday morning, a freighter crashed into the Baltimore bridge, sending eight construction workers into the Patapsco River. One refused treatment, another was discharged after shock trauma and the bodies of two others were recovered on Wednesday morning. Four others are missing and presumed dead.
“The state of Maryland’s emergency budget is limited and unable to fund an emergency of this magnitude,” Wiedefeld wrote.
Wiedefeld had hoped for a “quick release” of the $60 million.
“We have applied for the federal dollars that are available for these types of purposes,” Wiedefeld said. “We plan to receive some federal dollars soon and then we will begin the design for the replacement of the bridge to the harbor and get the community back up and running.”
Officials said this at a press conference on Wednesday said the first priority is removing the debris from the Patapsco River, which will be assisted by the Army Corps of Engineers, so shipping lanes can reopen.
The Army Corps of Engineers’ Baltimore District activated its Emergency Operations Center, paving the way for more than 1,100 engineering, construction, contracting and operations specialists to provide support to local, state and federal agencies.
They patrol the waters of the harbor and the Patapsco River looking for trash and debris that could be hazardous to navigation.
“The most urgent priority is opening the Port of Baltimore because it is essential to the livelihoods of people here in Baltimore, Maryland and the economies across our country and around the world,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday he plans to increase the pressure federal government to pay for the entire bridge reconstruction, and pledged to work with Maryland leaders to provide as much support as possible.
“It is my intention that the federal government will pay the full cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect Congress will support my efforts,” Biden said, adding that he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as possible.
The state of Maryland’s $60 million estimate for initial expenses amounts to at most just 10% of the estimated cost of responding to the disaster, CBS News has learned after a Maryland Congressional delegation meeting.
The Maryland delegation discussed the likely cost of more than $1 billion and the “need for an additional relief package” from Congress.
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