US gives Maryland $60 million in relief to rebuild Baltimore bridge

The U.S. government has awarded Maryland $60 million in relief for a bridge collapse that struck a cargo ship in Baltimore.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) funds emergency work after the 984-foot Singapore-flagged ship Dali lost power as it left the Port of Baltimore and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. are doing.

“These funds will serve as a down payment on initial costs, and additional emergency assistance program funds will become available as work continues,” the DOT said in a statement.

This funding will assist the state government in rebuilding and repairing the bridge.

The ship, which was carrying about 4,700 containers, lost propulsion and crashed into a bridge early Tuesday morning. Six people died in this incident. The bridge collapse has brought traffic to a standstill at one of the United States’ busiest ports.

“No one will ever forget the shocking footage of a container ship colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the bridge to collapse and the tragic deaths of six people,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. Ta.

“The federal emergency funds we are releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent efforts, with additional funding to follow as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress.”

President Biden previously said the federal government would “move heaven and earth” to rebuild the bridge.

Federal officials told Maryland leaders that rebuilding the bridge could cost up to $2 billion.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

Biden’s proposal to pay for the project has drawn pushback from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, especially conservative spending hawks who were already dissatisfied with passing recent spending packages and say the spending is excessive. claims.

“The whole idea of ​​having the federal government pay for the construction of the Baltimore Bridge is completely ridiculous!!” Rep. Ralph Norman (RS.C.) told The Hill. “This embodies the old slogan, ‘Take Peter to pay Paul!!’