US President Joe Biden made a solemn vow Friday to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed following a collision with the container ship Dali, during a poignant address outside the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department headquarters.
The incident, which occurred near the Port of Baltimore, killed at least six people, resulted in the closure of the vital shipping channel and prompted an urgent response from federal and state authorities.
Biden, who flew over the scene of the disaster aboard his Marine One helicopter earlier in the day, met local officials for a briefing on the economic impact to the Baltimore port, an important shipping destination for ships to offload automobiles.
Speaking with the fallen bridge behind him as an imposing backdrop, Biden vowed “we will not rest” until the bridge is rebuilt and the area is back to normal.
Joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and other dignitaries, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the bridge, which plays a crucial role in maritime traffic in and out of Baltimore’s harbour. “We’re going to move heaven and earth to rebuild this bridge,” he declared, emphasizing the administration’s determination to expedite the reconstruction process.
Reflecting on his personal experiences with tragedy, President Biden expressed empathy for the families affected by the bridge collapse, underscoring the profound impact of loss. He pledged to meet with the families later in the day, offering his support and condolences during this challenging time.
Amid ongoing recovery efforts, the US Army Corps of Engineers provided a tentative timeline for reopening the shipping channel, aiming to establish a temporary channel by the end of April and restore the permanent channel by the end of May. The closure of the port has disrupted maritime operations, although truck processing within the marine terminals continues unaffected.
The Biden administration is seeking congressional approval to allocate federal funds for the bridge reconstruction project. Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, emphasized the urgent need for bipartisan action to address the catastrophe, citing past instances of federal assistance in similar situations.
Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order to provide financial relief to workers and businesses impacted by the bridge collapse. The $60 million allocation from state funds aims to mitigate the economic repercussions of the incident, underscoring the state’s commitment to supporting its communities during this crisis.
As investigations into the bridge collapse continue, questions arise about potential measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Republican Representative Carlos A Gimenez of Florida raised concerns about bridge safety during a congressional hearing, highlighting the need for proactive measures to safeguard critical infrastructure against unforeseen events.
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