Port of Baltimore to Reopen after Key Bridge Collapse

Thank you, Angela. It is 6:03 now. The recovery process from the Key Bridge collapse is expected to take years and cost millions of dollars.

And new this morning. The federal government is renewing its promise to help cover those costs. President Biden says, quote, "Baltimore can count on us to stick with them every step of the way, and we will continue to have your back until the bridge is rebuilt." Secretary of State Pete Buttigieg also reiterated that sentiment.

But our determination and the President's clear directive is that none of those procedural matters should stand in the way. And I should emphasize this is also true knowing that there are questions of liability, insurance, potential recoveries. It would not be the first time if our emergency relief fund is ultimately partly replenished with recoveries that are made. We're just not going to wait for that.

Now, there are also efforts to ensure that funding in Congress. And Alexus Davila on your corner this morning with the details on the push from Maryland's representatives. Alexus, good morning.

Good morning. Yeah. There are two main points to really take away from today because today, the Port of Baltimore is reopening after that main shipping channel is now back up and running. But as you were mentioning, the tension is now going to this over here, the rebuilding of the new bridge, and trying to attain the funds to do so. So we know that President Joe Biden announced back in March that he wants Congress to approve the price of the new bridge reconstruction to be billed to the federal government. But that idea is still being discussed among politicians. The estimated cost for the new bridge could range anywhere between 1.7 to $1.9 billion. (01:43) Congressman Kweisi Mfume introduced the Baltimore Bridge Relief Act back in April to assure that the hefty bill would not go to Maryland. In a recent committee hearing and the US House, representative Ralph Norman from South Carolina said that the federal government does not have the money to cover the full bill. He is also concerned about the fairness of addressing other states and their catastrophes that are affecting them. But Mfume says this issue is not a Baltimore issue. It's an American issue.

I believe that we just have to judge each one as they come, understanding that America has a limited amount of money, but also an unlimited ability to respond, to recognize the pain and the hurt. And in this instance, to protect our supply chain and the defense contractors that rely on that to be able to do their job.

Now, Mfume did remind the representatives that when it comes to the Relief Act, any of the money that comes from litigation from the insurer or any other parties will be going back to the American Treasury so it can go back into the pockets of taxpayers. Reporting live, I'm Alexus Davila for WJZ.

Thank you, Alexus. Meanwhile, MDTA officials say they haven't made a decision about a design for a replacement bridge, but that it'll mostly be built in the same location with a four-lane roadway, tolls, and enhancements for pure protection. At a virtual community meeting yesterday, the MDTA set a timeline for rebuild milestones. So proposals for the project are due by June 24th. They'll pick a team by this summer. Construction could start by mid-2025. After the design is, quote, "Substantially developed," crews hope to finish the project by fall of 2028. Local business owners impacted by the collapse tell WJZ that they hope to be a part of the bigger picture.

If they are able to utilize those communities and offset any lost revenue, I think you're going to see a really great thing happen. And I urge them to not look outside the surrounding Dundalk, Patapsco area, to focus right there and use what's there at their feet.

Now, as for the future name of the bridge, MDTA says it's a very important conversation, but there haven't been any decisions on that either. If you missed the meeting, you can go back and watch the presentation online. Just head to our website, WJZ.com, for the link.