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Shockwaves were sent across the country on Tuesday, March 26, when America awoke to the news that the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore had collapsed, and was deemed a mass casualty event.
Biden told Maryland Gov. Wes Moore that he and the federal government "will move heaven and earth to reopen the port and reopen the bridge as soon as possible." The rebuild is expected to be a "multi-year effort," the New York Times says citing Benjamin W. Schafer, a professor of engineering at Johns Hopkins.
Biden said more than 30,000 vehicles cross the bridge on a daily basis, making it "one of the most important elements for the economy in the Northeast and (for) the quality of life."
"My intention is that the federal government will pay the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect Congress to support that effort.
"It's going to take some time, but the people of Baltimore can count on us to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge rebuilt."
US Attorney Erek Barron also made note that the collapse was caused by an accident, and there was no suspicions of any foul play.
"There is no evidence at this time to suggest that today’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has any ties to terrorism," he said. "My office will continue to coordinate with our federal, state, and local partners to provide any support necessary."
Gov. Moore said the ship's operators issued a mayday call moments before it was seen crashing into one of the support beams of the bridge.
Late on Tuesday afternoon, the search was still on for six construction workers from Brawner Builders, who were reportedly repairing potholes on the bridge when it collapsed. The company declined comment on Tuesday when reached out by Daily Voice.
The workers are reportedly from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, according to CBS News, and they live in Dundalk and Highlandtown. They are in their 30s or 40s, are married, and have young children, the outlet says.
A State of Emergency was issued by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott that will remain in place for 30 days.
Moving forward, Harbor Crossing alternate routes are I-95 or I-895 tunnels, the MDTA announced. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials (includes propane over 10 pounds) are prohibited in tunnels and should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels.
Recommended routes from the Baltimore Department of Transportation can be found here.
Following the collapse, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) gave a media briefing Tuesday afternoon, though new details were scant as the investigation into the entire incident and search efforts continues.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed the 985-foot-long, 95,000-gross-ton containership, registered in Singapore under the name Dali, struck the bridge around 1:30 a.m. March 26.
The NTSB was still verifying the number of crew members aboard the ship at the time, as well as their conditions, Homendy said. No questions about possible fatalities or injuries were addressed, with officials deferring comment to local authorities.
Click here for the full media briefing.
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