Maryland Governor Wes Moore spoke in an interview about the recovery efforts following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and the plan to rebuild it. He expressed grief over the loss of six Marylanders and the recovery of the body of Maynor Sandoval, emphasizing the enormity of the collapse and the impact on the Baltimore skyline. Despite the long road to recovery, Gov. Moore highlighted the resilience and inspiration shown by the people of the state and city in rallying together.
The Governor stated that an aggressive timeline has been set to have full functioning of the bridge by the end of May. He emphasized the importance of maritime operations at the Port of Baltimore and the need to support workers and families impacted by the collapse. Gov. Moore assured that intensive efforts will be made to meet the timeline for restoring the bridge and reopening the channel, acknowledging the significance of the port to the local and national economy.
Gov. Moore discussed potential funding for the rebuild, noting the economic importance of the Port of Baltimore and the Key Bridge in facilitating various activities. With reports suggesting a billion-dollar price tag, the Governor highlighted the need for a collective and bipartisan response to address the tragedy. He mentioned meeting with lawmakers to discuss funding and emphasized the bridge’s national significance in the context of rebuilding.
The Governor supported President Biden’s commitment to have federal dollars fund the bridge’s reconstruction and ensure accountability for those responsible. He mentioned an ongoing NTSB investigation to determine liability and emphasized the need for swift and thorough accountability. Gov. Moore expressed readiness for the ship owner and manager to be held responsible for contributing to the cleanup efforts if found liable.
President Biden’s announcement of using US Steel and union labor for the rebuild was supported by Gov. Moore, who emphasized the importance of on-time and on-budget completion with a clear plan in place. Despite the scale and complexity of the project, the Governor expressed confidence in the support for labor in the state of Maryland. He commended the coordination between various agencies and organizations in the recovery efforts, highlighting progress in clearing the river and enabling ships to access the port.
Overall, Gov. Moore expressed amazement at the progress made in the recovery efforts since the collapse, crediting the coordinated efforts of federal, state, local, and military agencies. He praised the swift actions taken to remove debris from the river, demonstrating significant progress in a relatively short period. The interview concluded with well wishes for the Governor and appreciation for his leadership in the recovery and rebuilding process.
