US gives Maryland $60 million in relief to rebuild Baltimore bridge

The U.S. government authorized $60 million in relief to Maryland for a bridge that collapsed in Baltimore after being struck by a cargo ship.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is giving funding for emergency work after the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by Dali, a 984-foot Singapore-flagged ship that lost power when attempting to leave the Baltimore Harbor. 

“These funds serve as a down payment toward initial costs, and additional Emergency Relief program funding will be made available as work continues,” DOT said in a statement. 

The funds will provide help as the state government works on the reconstruction and repair of the bridge. 

The ship, which carried around 4,700 containers, hit the bridge in the early morning hours on Tuesday after losing propulsion. The incident left six people dead. The collapse of the bridge halted traffic in one of the busiest U.S. ports. 

“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,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. 

“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 previously said the federal government will “move heaven and earth” to rebuild the bridge.

Federal officials told Maryland leaders that it could cost up to $2 billion to rebuild the bridge. 

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. 

Biden’s proposal to cover the cost of the project has drawn backlash from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, especially conservative spending hawks who already were dissatisfied with the recent passage of the spending package, which they argued had over-the-top spending. 

“The very thought of having the Federal Government pay for the Baltimore bridge is TOTALLY ABSURD!!” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told The Hill. “This exemplifies the old slogan ‘ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL!!’”