Governor meets with lawmakers to discuss support for rebuilding bridges

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he plans to meet with members of Congress this week to discuss support for rebuilding the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, which has blocked the main shipping channel at the Port of Baltimore for nearly two weeks.

“I will spend part of this week going down with our delegation to meet with congressional leaders and senior members to let them know this issue is not partisan. It is a patriotic duty to be able to support one. This country is great economic engine,” Moore said Monday. “This is an opportunity to support a port that is directly responsible for employing tens of thousands of people.”

As Maryland lawmakers wrapped up their legislative session on Monday, a measure authorizing the use of the state’s emergency fund to help port workers was approved and sent to Moore’s desk. The governor plans to sign the emergency legislation Tuesday, taking effect immediately.

On March 26, the bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship. DaliThe power went out shortly after leaving Baltimore for Sri Lanka. The boat sent out a distress call, which was enough for police to stop traffic but not enough to save road construction crews who were filling potholes on the bridge.

Authorities believe six workers – immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador – fell to their deaths in the Patapsco River. Two others survived. The bodies of three workers have been recovered, but the search for other victims continues.

Moore said the state remains committed to supporting the families of the six workers.

“We remain very focused on bringing closure and comfort to these families and actions that can bring closure to these families,” Moore said. “It’s not stopping. It’s still a 24/7 operation.”

Temporary backup lanes have been cleared, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said last week it expected to open limited lanes by the end of April for barge container ships and some vessels transporting cars and farm equipment. Officials aim to restore normal capacity to the Port of Baltimore by the end of May.

Moore is optimistic about progress in reopening channels.

He said if he had been told on the morning of the collapse that two lanes would be open within two weeks, “I would say that does sound ambitious given what we’re seeing, but that’s where we are.”

The governor also addressed progress in clearing the debris, saying crews removed 318 metric tons (350 tons) of steel from the Patapsco River on Sunday.

More than 50 salvage divers and 12 cranes were on site to help cut sections of the bridge and remove it from the critical waterway. Crews began removing containers from the deck over the weekend, and they are removing the portion of the bridge located at the bow of the ship so it can eventually be moved, according to the Unified Command for Critical Bridge Response.