Baltimore bridge collapse a 'national economic disaster'

The channel, now blocked by debris, is the primary access point to Baltimore Harbor, which Moore described as „very busy.” [and] is very active in the country.

„It's going to affect the farmer in Kentucky. It's going to affect the auto dealer in Ohio. It's going to affect the restaurant owner in Tennessee,” he said.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed that sentiment.

„Not just for the people and workers of Baltimore, but for our national supply chains to get that port back up and running as quickly as possible,” Buttigieg said on CBS' „Face the Nation.”

The bridge collapsed after a large cargo ship collided with it on Tuesday Mayday call Just before the collision. Two construction workers killed; Four people are missing and presumed dead.

Officials said efforts to remove the vessel, remove debris and reopen the channel began Saturday.

„Parts of the non-federal channel are already being worked, and a 1,000-ton capacity lift crane is now in place,” Buttigieg said. Another 600-ton crane is on the way, he said.

There is no timeline yet for the completion of that rescue mission, Buttigieg said. The timeline for the reconstruction of the bridge is also unclear, he said.

Central and local officials reiterated that the process would be long and complicated.

„We have a ship the size of the Eiffel Tower that's stuck in the Channel right now, with the Key Bridge sitting on top of it,” Governor Moore said. „So it's going to be a long road … but the movement is happening.”

The Port of Baltimore is projected to handle 1.1 million containers of cargo by 2023, according to state data. It became the nation's ninth busiest port in terms of US trade volume. wrote Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport, a supply chain logistics company.

It is expected to handle approximately 850,000 cars and light trucks by 2023, more than any other port for 13 years.^Th Consecutive Year, Step State data.

„This port is the number one port of call for cars and farm equipment,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said on „Face the Nation” Sunday.

„So it's important for people in rural North Carolina and Kansas and Iowa,” he added. „It's important for the global economy.”

Additionally, more than 15,000 people work directly at the port, and thousands more depend on it for a living, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-MD, said on ABC's „This Week.”

Small Business Administration declared Makes up to $2 million in low-interest, long-term loans available to local small businesses in the Mid-Atlantic region affected by the bridge collapse.

US government provided Maryland provided $60 million in funding to clear the wreckage. The federal government will cover 90% of the cost of rebuilding the bridge, D-MD Sen. Chris Van Hollen said. To cover the remaining 10%, Sen. He plans to introduce the legislation with Rep. Ben Cardin, D-MD, Van Hollen said.

President Joe Biden said On Tuesday, he said he wants the federal government to pay the full cost of rebuilding the bridge and expects Congress to support that effort.

Some lawmakers have balked at the idea. Representative. Dan Meuser, R-PA, was invited Biden's comment about using federal funds to cover the entire cost was „kind of outrageous.”

With the current Congress divided, Secretary Buttigieg said he hopes lawmakers will approve bridge funding on a bipartisan basis.

„If we can see Republicans and Democrats working together to get President Biden's infrastructure package through, they can work together to help America and Baltimore overcome this tragedy,” he said. said Sunday on MSNBC.