Former Transportation Secretary Jim Burnley predicted the next steps to take after the massive Baltimore bridge collapse on Fox News Tuesday and highlighted government agencies that viewers should keep an eye on.
Burnley appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” to talk about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning due to a collision with a container ship. Fox host Laura Ingraham asked the former chief about her thoughts on the accident and what steps should be taken “next” as the affected ports are considered “critical.” (Related: Baltimore Bridge collapses after being hit by container ship)
Mr. Burnley first called attention to the six apparent deaths, and then said he expected the National Transportation Safety Board to lead an investigation into the bridge collapse. Burnley noted how the agency is a bipartisan group led by “highly regarded” subject matter experts, who work with various federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). I predict that they will request.
“Laura, let me start by mentioning the six apparent fatalities, apparently all of whom were highway maintenance workers. It’s one of the most dangerous and underappreciated jobs in America. It’s the motorists who are threatened, and in this case the bridge is falling,” Mr Burnley said.
“The way this should go, and the way I expect it to go, is that the investigation will be led by what I believe to be the most trusted agency in the U.S. government, which is the National Transportation Safety Board. ” he continued. “It’s bipartisan. [and] In fact, its most recent appointee was the DOT chief of staff. [Department of Transportation] During the Trump administration. We have a highly regarded group of experts in the field, and we will be asking various federal agencies, including DOT and DHS. [Department of Homeland Security] – In this case, the Army Corps of Engineers would be involved. ”
“It will probably be quite a few months before we have a final conclusion. But what we should all be focused on is the agency and its conclusions. Whatever it is, we will make recommendations that we hope will be taken very seriously,” Burnley said.
A video leaked online shows the container ship Dahlia, chartered by a Danish shipping company, colliding with a structure and causing the bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River. Both the ship and the bridge were damaged, and several vehicles fell into the water. Officials said at least two people had been rescued by Tuesday morning, but the remaining six are now presumed dead as authorities called off search and rescue operations.
