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

Dec 18, 2024, 01:05 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, a significant increase from the usual 90% federal contribution. This decision comes after a nine-month effort to secure funding for the bridge, which collapsed in March and is estimated to cost $2 billion. Maryland's political leaders, including Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and Governor Wes Moore, have been instrumental in securing this funding, emphasizing the importance of the bridge to the state's recovery and economy.