The accident two days ago in Baltimore left a community isolated after the cargo ship “Dali” lost control and crashed into a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The cost of reconstruction is putting pressure on the US government, but the real problem weighing on the shoulders of the authorities is the closure of trade in one of the largest ports in the US.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977 after five years of work, cost $60.3 million, equivalent to $316 million today, and was responsible for the transit of more than 30,000 vehicles daily.
With its collapse in the Patapsco River due to the accident caused by the freighter “Dali”, approximately 50,000 jobs on which the operation of the Port of Baltimore depends are at risk. The period of inactivity while the area is cleared to reopen to maritime traffic is affecting US trade.
“Logistics and shipping will temporarily move to another US port. However, if the port of Baltimore were to be closed for only 30 days, the state would lose approximately one billion dollars in the total value of goods and services transited,” according to analysts at Freight Waves.
Baltimore is the ninth largest port in the United States, and 70% of imported cargo is comprised of automobiles and construction/agricultural equipment. At the same time, approximately 20% of the country’s coal exports pass through this port. In total, a record 11.7 million tons of cargo were handled last year and generated revenue of nearly $3.3 billion. More than 50 carriers make nearly 1,800 annual port calls, the Associated Press reports.
Biden promises, Congress does not consent
Immediately after the accident, President Joe Biden assured that the bridge would be rebuilt, but did not provide a deadline.
“It is my intention that the federal government pay for the entire cost of rebuilding this bridge. And I expect Congress to support my effort. The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s largest maritime hubs. Last year it handled a record amount of goods. About 850,000 automobiles go through that port every year, and we’re going to get it up and running as soon as possible,” Biden told USA Today.
By some estimates, the cost of rebuilding could be anywhere from $350 million to $2 billion, and take anywhere from four to ten years. Experts suggest that shipping will resume in three months after the collapsed structure is removed from the water.
Although most politicians in Congress have come out in favor of rebuilding the bridge, expediting emergency funding is a long-term issue.
“The president has made it very clear that every tool of the federal government must be made available to Governor Wes Moore as the state of Maryland leads the work on the bridge and harbor. We need to ensure that there are no administrative barriers that stand in the way of funding. We have about $950 million locked up in an emergency fund, awaiting congressional approval for the allocation. Rebuilding will not be quick, easy or cheap,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
It is not yet known whether the ship’s operator will pay damages for the damage. An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. The ship that collapsed the bridge was also involved in an incident in 2016 in the port of Antwerp, according to Digi24.
Full movie of the disaster:
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Tags: Rebuilding Baltimore bridge years huge bill puts pressure government
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