President Joe Biden conducted an aerial survey on Friday of the collapsed Baltimore bridge, which has obstructed a vital East Coast shipping route, affirming federal assistance in the reconstruction efforts.
The catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, resulting from a cargo ship collision, claimed six lives and disrupted traffic flow through the Mid-Atlantic state’s shipping corridor. Work is ongoing to clear the wreckage and restore normalcy to the affected area.
From aboard his Marine One helicopter, Biden observed the disaster site and received a briefing from local officials regarding the economic repercussions on the Baltimore port, a significant hub for automobile shipments.
Standing against the backdrop of the fallen bridge, Biden pledged relentless efforts towards its reconstruction and urged Congress to swiftly approve funding for the project. Biden said that the federal government will “move heaven and earth” to rebuild the collapsed bridge and it will be rebuilt “as rapidly as humanly possible”.
Expressing solidarity with the affected families, Biden assured that those responsible for the bridge collapse would be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
He later met with the families of the deceased victims, all immigrants from Mexico and Central America, who were tragically caught in the bridge collapse while performing maintenance work.
As efforts continue to recover the remaining bodies trapped underwater, concerns mount over the economic toll of the port’s closure on the regional economy, given its prominence in handling automotive and machinery shipments.
The White House has requested federal coverage for the estimated $2 billion bridge replacement cost, though some Republican lawmakers oppose using new federal funds for the reconstruction.
Despite initial resistance, Biden’s administration has committed to covering the entire reconstruction cost, with $60 million in emergency relief already allocated. Discussions with lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, underscore the complex negotiations required to secure funding amidst competing priorities.
The House Freedom Caucus has outlined demands for maximum liability from foreign shipping companies and stringent spending offsets, signaling potential challenges ahead in navigating bipartisan consensus for the bridge’s reconstruction.
