BALTIMORE — Maryland officials are not offering a clear timeline of when the channel to the Port of Baltimore will reopen following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Vessel traffic has been suspended in and out of the port since Tuesday when the cargo ship Dali lost power and rammed into the bridge.
"We have a very long road ahead of us," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said during a Thursday afternoon news conference.
Moore said clearing the channel and opening traffic to the port is among his top priorities as Maryland officials focus on reconstruction.
When asked about how long it will take to remove the Dali and what is left of the Key Bridge, Moore drew comparisons to the cargo ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal in 2021.
"It's important to remember it took five weeks to dislodge that ship. The Dali is as long as the Eiffel Tower and the Dali, has the Key Bridge on top of it."
Moore expressed urgency to clear the channel to the Port of Baltimore which remains paralyzed but also emphasized the need to proceed in a manner that is safe for crews.
Within hours of the request, the Biden Administration granted $60 million in emergency funds through the program that states can turn to after natural disasters. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said that the collapse of the bridge qualified for federal assistance. He added that the emergency funds were, "just a down payment" in what is expected to be a long and costly reconstruction.
Mayland's Secretary of Transportation, Paul Wiedefeld says his agency has already assigned what the funds will be used for.
"These dollars are essential to us to proceed with the debris removal, the demolition, traffic operations, and other emergency needs," Wiedefeld added.
Senator Chris Van Hollen announced during the news update that the Army Corps of Engineers will cover the entire cost of clearing the channel.
"It is a priority given all the jobs associated with it. The small businesses, all the other businesses. And as the governor has pointed out this is not just a Maryland issue, it is a national and global question," Van Hollen said.
Rear Admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard Shannon Gilreath said they are still in the assessment process of the bridge removal. He says crews are trying to determine how to cut the Key Bridge in the right size pieces so that those can be lifted using a crane.
Sen. Van Hollen says he plans to introduce a bill in Congress to pay for reconstruction costs not covered by the emergency funds approved by the Biden Administration.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.