President Biden announced on Tuesday that the federal government would cover the entire cost of reconstructing the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, expressing his hope for a quick rebuild and reopening.
This declaration from the White House came as a show of strong federal government response to the bridge collapse, the second on a major interstate highway in the Northeast Corridor within the past 10 months.
Following the successful rebuilding of an Interstate 95 overpass in Philadelphia last summer, Mr. Biden expressed optimism about the reconstruction of Baltimore’s bridge, despite it being a major infrastructure project expected to take longer to repair.
Although no visit has been scheduled yet, Mr. Biden stated his intention to visit Baltimore as soon as possible.
Maryland, not a battleground state, shares similarities with Pennsylvania in having a Democratic governor and a Senate race that could impact party control next year.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland declared a state of emergency and had a conversation with President Biden on Tuesday morning.
The political aftermath of the bridge collapse is still uncertain, with emergency responders searching for missing construction workers and potential economic repercussions if Baltimore’s port remains closed.
Maryland officials have refrained from assigning blame or political advantage, focusing instead on expressing grief and offering support. Both Republicans and Democrats have echoed prayers and well wishes for those affected by the collapse.
As Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania praised the government’s quick response to the Interstate 95 bridge collapse in Philadelphia, Mr. Biden now faces another opportunity to showcase his administration’s handling of a major crisis during his visit to North Carolina.
