The discussion on Capitol Hill regarding the financing for the replacement of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge has ignited debate among senators. A Senate hearing on Wednesday centered on whether the federal government should carry the full $1.7 billion cost or adhere to the typical 90-10 split between federal and state funding, CBS News Baltimore reported.
With President Joe Biden advocating for full federal funding, Maryland legislators, including Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, both Democrats, backed the move, citing past incidents like the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse. Emphasizing the urgency of reconstruction, Maryland officials look to secure a commitment to ensure the state can swiftly move forward without the financial burden of the remaining $170 million, as FOX Baltimore detailed.
Senator Cardin pointed out that any funds recovered from lawsuits or insurance, which may amount to $350 million, would be directed back to the federal budget. In his words, "There is at least very serious evidence that there could be wrongdoing in the manner in which the vessel was handled which could bring in substantial funds," as reported by CBS News Baltimore. This supports the argument for federal funding by reducing the potential long-term cost to taxpayers.
Despite this argument, the opposition highlights that setting such a precedent could potentially challenge the funding mechanism for future infrastructure projects nationwide. "If Congress does not require Maryland to share in the cost of the Key Bridge, which will have a revenue source, how can Congress require any other recipient of…funding to pay their cost share?" Senator Capito questioned, as reported by CBS News Baltimore. The Maryland delegation, however, cited the state's loss of toll revenue during the bridge's closure and emphasized the national significance of the bridge, not just for the state but the whole country.
Another critical aspect under scrutiny from lawmakers is the bridge's resilience against possible future accidents. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld voiced plans to incorporate stringent safeguards against ship strikes in the bridge's design. Lt. General Scott Spellmon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers referenced the inadequate protection of the old bridge piers from today's much larger vessels, underscoring the need for modern design considerations. The overall efforts to reinforce infrastructure against similar disasters were outlined in reports from CBS News Baltimore.
