The Maryland Department of Transportation has requested $60 million in federal emergency relief funding to assist in costs related to cleaning up the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge and rebuilding it, as announced in a recent news release. This funding request comes in the wake of the bridge collapse, which has necessitated significant resources for recovery efforts.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized the importance of this funding, stating that it will serve as the foundation for the state's recovery from this infrastructure disaster. The Maryland Transportation Secretary, Paul J. Wiedefeld, has taken proactive steps by sending a letter of intent to the Federal Highway Administration outlining the state's plans to seek financial assistance for various aspects of the recovery process.
In the letter addressed to Shailen Bhatt, the administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, Wiedefeld detailed the intended use of the funds, which include expenses such as debris removal, demolition, detour restoration, emergency repairs, and the design and reconstruction of both I-695 and the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The state is currently in the process of assessing the extent of the damage and has already initiated emergency operations to address the immediate aftermath of the bridge collapse.
This funding request underscores the significant impact of the bridge collapse on Maryland's transportation infrastructure and the urgent need for financial support to facilitate the recovery efforts. The state government is working closely with federal authorities to secure the necessary resources and expertise to address the challenges posed by this unforeseen event.
