WTOP's Mike Murillo got an update on recovery efforts from Sen. Chris Van Hollen over the weekend after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge paralyzed activity at one of the nation's busiest ports, but now the recovery process is just beginning.
The tragedy also claimed the lives of six construction workers who were working on the bridge when it was hit by a container ship.
WTOP's Mike Murillo got an update on recovery efforts from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) over the weekend after the bridge collapse.
WTOP's Mike Murillo discusses the ongoing recovery of the collapsed Key Bridge with Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen.
Van Hollen: First and foremost, I think of the families of the six people who died on the bridge. It was a reminder of the work people do every day for the benefit of their communities, not knowing when they will wake up and what will happen. Therefore, we stand by their families and do everything we can to support them. We are very grateful to the first responders, including those who helped stop traffic across the bridge and prevent further fatalities. And we're very focused on keeping our waterways open 24/7 so we can reopen the Port of Baltimore, with 15,000 direct jobs tied to the Port of Baltimore and more than 140,000 people tied to port jobs overall. Masu. Businesses large and small are connected across the country, and as people now know, Maryland is the nation's largest port for automobiles, light trucks, and farm equipment. That's why we need to open our channels, and we're working on that 24/7. And, of course, we're also beginning the process of putting together a plan to rebuild the bridge.
Murillo: And it will be an expensive process. And the federal government has announced that it will step up its efforts to cover most of this. Where do we stand on that and what will it take to secure it?
Van Hollen: Well, first of all, I want to thank the President of the United States for opening the ports. He is already moving quickly to fulfill his pledge. The Army Corps of Engineers will pay to reopen the waterway so the port can operate. And the federal government has already accepted Maryland's emergency petition to join the so-called emergency relief program. This is a U.S. Department of Transportation program designed for exactly this type of emergency. The federal government will pay 90% of the rebuilding costs. Senator Cardin and I, and Congressman Mfume, can deliver on the president's promise to ensure that Marylanders do not have to pay in any way for this terrible tragedy with national implications. We are planning to submit a bill to cover the balance. .
Murillo: Now, is there a plan or is there a plan in Congress – obviously the NTSB is currently investigating – but will there be a Congressional investigation into what happened here?
Van Hollen: Well, we'll wait for the report from the NTSB. They will likely take some time and do their due diligence. But yes, we are very much looking forward to what that report says for two reasons. One is, as you know, to hold accountable all those involved in the wrongdoing that led to this accident. Because we want to make sure we get our money back from them. All the money we get from liability should be deducted from the federal fund, Mike, but of course we should learn lessons to avoid these types of tragedies in the future, whether in Baltimore or elsewhere around the country. Because I want to.
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