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The Biden administration on Thursday approved Maryland officials' request for $60 million in federal emergency relief, putting an initial price tag on the response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
While a dollar amount was unclear until Thursday, the White House and Maryland’s congressional delegation were expecting the emergency request. Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency shortly after the bridge fell early Tuesday, and state officials on Wednesday had sent a precursory letter outlining the need for federal assistance.
The state is “deeply grateful” for the federal funds and support, Moore said at a Thursday evening news conference.
The cost of responding to the sudden and catastrophic collapse of the bridge after a cargo ship struck one of its pillars, and clearing the waterway to reopen marine shipping to the Port of Baltimore, will certainly grow.
President Joe Biden has already pledged for the federal government to foot the bill for restarting the port and rebuilding the Key Bridge, and Maryland’s congressional delegation is planning to push for Congress to approve more funding for the bridge. It remains to be seen whether some costs will fall to the state, which is already facing shortfalls to pay for its long-term transportation plans.
The state’s emergency relief request is separate from any work to rebuild the bridge.
In a letter to the Federal Highway Administration, state Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld wrote that it’s not yet possible to provide exact cost estimates as responders continue to assess the scene/ The $60 million figure is the state’s current estimate to pay for debris removal, demolition, traffic operations and other costs incurred in responding to the disaster.
“The State of Maryland’s budget for...