The US government has provided $60 million (approximately £47.6 million) in federal emergency relief funding to the state of Maryland to rebuild the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. Baltimore.
The cargo ship Dali lost power and hit the bridge early Tuesday (March 26) shortly after leaving the Port of Baltimore, causing the bridge to collapse.
Four bodies have been recovered and two other missing people are presumed dead.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore requested $60 million earlier Friday, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration approved the request within hours.
It usually takes several days for relief funds to be approved by officials.
Moore said the funds would support “mobilization, operations and debris removal to lay the foundation for rapid recovery.”
Maryland said it may seek additional emergency funding as damage assessment progresses.
News that the cash will be provided to the state comes after President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the government would “do whatever it takes” to quickly rebuild the bridge.
“These funds serve as a down payment on the initial costs and additional Emergency Relief Program funding will be made available as work continues,” the Department of Transportation said in a statement.
The initial cost of reconstruction is estimated at $600 million (approximately £474,339), which may be paid by the federal government)Economic software analysis company IMPLAN said.
The Transportation Department vowed to act quickly after receiving a request for so-called “quick release funds” but said legislation from Congress would be needed to fund a replacement bridge.
The Singapore-flagged container ship Dali, bound for Sri Lanka, reported losing power and maneuverability before hitting the bridge’s support towers.
The impact caused much of the bridge to immediately plunge into the mouth of the Patapsco River, blocking the shipping channel and forcing the indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the U.S. East Coast.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
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