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Congress Allocates Full Federal Funding for $2 Billion Key Bridge Reconstruction in Baltimore

Dec 18, 2024, 01:04 AM

Congress has included full federal funding for the reconstruction of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in a new spending bill aimed at avoiding a government shutdown. The bill, expected to pass this week, mandates that the federal government cover 100% of the rebuilding costs, rather than the usual 90%. This decision comes after a nine-month effort by Maryland's political leaders, including Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and Governor Wes Moore, to secure the necessary funds. The bridge, which collapsed in March, is critical for the local communities of Dundalk and Turner Station, as well as for commuters and businesses in the region. The estimated cost for the rebuild is around $2 billion, with insurance payments expected to offset some of this amount.