White House Approves $60 Million in Aid for Baltimore Key Bridge Collapse

The Biden administration on Thursday approved $60 million in immediate federal aid requested by the state of Maryland, as federal and local authorities rally to tackle the immense challenge of clearing the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and reopening shipping lanes.

Recovery efforts are in full swing, with the “quick release” emergency funding to go toward the state’s initial costs for emergency repairs, as well as preliminary design and reconstruction efforts for the bridge to help the region get back on its feet as soon as possible.

On Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was busy coordinating the transport of the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to the site of the collapsed bridge to help remove the wreckage that has brought the region’s key shipping route to a standstill.

The crane, which can lift 1,000 tons, is expected to arrive on Thursday evening. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said a second crane with a 400-ton capacity could arrive by Saturday.

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