WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has announced his intention for the federal government to cover the full cost of rebuilding the Baltimore bridge, which collapsed early Tuesday morning following a collision with a large cargo ship. The ship struck one of the bridge’s support pillars, leading to the catastrophic event.
“We’re going to collaborate with our partners in Congress to ensure the state receives the necessary support. I am determined that the federal government will bear the entire expense of reconstructing the bridge, and I anticipate Congress will back this initiative,” Biden stated during a brief address from the White House before his departure to North Carolina.
Biden acknowledged that reconstructing the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which spans the Patapsco River, will require time. However, he has assured Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, of his directive for the federal government to expedite the reopening of the port and the bridge’s reconstruction “as swiftly as humanly possible.”
The President also expressed his plans to visit Baltimore at the earliest opportunity.
“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragic incident, especially those anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones,” Biden remarked. “In such moments, every minute can feel endless. The uncertainty is simply unbearable.”
Biden emphasized that the immediate focus is on the search and rescue operation, leading to the suspension of ship traffic and activities at the Port of Baltimore until further notice.
Highlighting the significance of the Port of Baltimore, Biden noted it as one of the largest shipping hubs in the U.S., particularly renowned for being the leading port for automobile and light truck imports and exports. Annually, the port handles 850,000 vehicles.
“We’re committed to restoring operations at the port as quickly as possible. The livelihoods of 15,000 workers are tied to this port, and we will do everything within our power to safeguard those jobs and support the affected workers,” Biden assured.
He further stressed the bridge’s vital role in facilitating travel, not just for Baltimore but for the entire Northeast Corridor, with over 30,000 vehicles crossing daily.
The collision, which occurred at 1:30 a.m. ET, resulted in several vehicles plunging into the water. Governor Moore, in a press conference, mentioned that at least six individuals were still missing. Rescue teams employing sonar detected at least five submerged vehicles, including three passenger cars, a cement truck, and another vehicle.
Governor Moore also revealed that the Dali ship, which had departed the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka, reported a “power issue” onboard and issued a mayday call moments before the crash, a move credited with saving lives.