Introduction 

The year 2024 is passing like a roller coaster for the construction industry in the U.S. specifically. On the one hand, there are a number of mega construction projects in different states, and correspondingly booming the industry to a great extent. According to the research report thoroughly on the business of the construction sector which indicates that the exclusive construction market surge within the next five to eight years and reach the trillion-dollar market. 

On the other hand, the industry has seen some tragic incidents in the construction field that took the lives of workers due to negligence in the pattern of industrial work. Subsequently, it impacts the industry and increases reluctance among the workers regarding construction activities. Apart from onsite hazards, the U.S. Baltimore state witnessed a miserable accident that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge and killed more than 10 people in the disastrous accident.  

Posterior To The Tragic Scene 

After the devastating accident on Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge, President Joe Biden gave a statement that the reconstruction of the bridge and other burdens were endured by the federal government. Recently the Biden administration asked Congress on Friday for $3.1 billion in emergency funding to reconstruct the major highways and roads, including Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was completely shut down in March just after the cargo ship collapsed. 

Immediately after the collapse of the main bridge Francis Scott, the president Joe Biden made clear that the administration would use the full force of the federal government to help the city of Baltimore every step of the way.

Significance Of Francis Scott Key Bridge  

This is not just a simple passage from where the major trade happened or connected with one of the largest ports in the U.S. but it also carries a history and momentous significance for the state and Baltimore’s community. 

The Baltimore Bridge, also well known as the Key Bridge, was first opened in 1977 in honor of Francis Scott Key, who was a renowned 19th-century poet of America. His work and words are still famous, Maryland poet also wrote the words used in the US national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner. 

The bridge was 1.6 miles (2.6km) long and transited the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor. The river flows out into Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the U.S. 

Impact Of The Temporary Bridge Closure 

Since the Francis Scott Key Bridge, is one of the principal connectors between Maryland’s main East-West, the sudden collapse of the bridge crippled the main route. Over an estimated there were more than 35,000 trucks and other vehicles passed through the bridge each day. The temporary closure of the Key Bridge creates obstacles to the major and leading businesses and jobs through the Baltimore boundaries. 

The Baltimore port plays a very crucial part in the region’s economy and helps to generate a large chunk of income. Also, it supports local government financially in terms of tax revenue and several subsidiary benefits. After collapsing the bridge, it disrupts traffic for various goods, affecting supply chains and distribution centers in the region. 

Given the Key Bridge’s spot and its location, there may be substantial transportation disruptions for several months or possibly years till the completion of its reconstruction. The port of Baltimore’s shipping industry will receive negative influence from this incident.

The four-lane bridge carried an assessed 11.5 million vehicles annually as it was a section of the Interstate, the outer portion of the road known as the “Baltimore Beltway” that surrounds Baltimore City.

What Do We Know About The Ship That Destroyed The Bridge?

The bridge’s collapse, in particular, will be a major problem for lorries carrying hazardous materials, which were able to cross the bridge but now is not operational from the alternative tunnel route.

One of the leading and huge Singapore-flagged container ships Dali was initially built by the Greek shipping company Oceanbunk, owned by South Korea’s Huyandai heavy industry. However, it was handled and operated by another company named Maersk through the charter vessel company Synergy Group and had been temporarily leased by container shipping giant Maersk. 

Maersk stated that it was carrying cargo for Maersk customers but luckily no company personnel were on board at the time when the giant cargo ship collapsed with the bridge. 

Rebuilding The Key Bridge 

It is crucial to rebuild the Key Scott bridge as soon as possible and restart the business and daily routine activities. Rebuilding and constructing the infrastructure is paramount to generating income, boosting the economy, and enhancing the community’s well-being posterior to the disastrous scene, communities, and employees affected by this disaster. 

According to the Transportation Research Board (TRB) study and research, the expenditure only spent on the infrastructure of the U.S. mainly roads, highways, and bridges from 2018 to the recent demand for funding for reconstructing the Baltimore key bridge increased by $23 billion to $57 billion. This budget will include the entire plan of hiring designing, construction, and hiring professionals and heavy bridge construction equipment. 

The $57 billion required for various highway construction programs including improvement in national highway performance, enhancement of security program, surface transportation block grant program, and many others. All these infrastructure projects will complete in the next two years with a primary focus on the Scott Key Bridge.  

A Closure 

Collapsing one of the major and important bridges was a tragic scene for Baltimore. It was one of the leading hubs for trade and business. For nearly a week after the collapse, vessel traffic to and from the port of Baltimore was entirely out of operation and about a dozen ships did not find the way to cross the port, which employs 8,000 people.

However, the government took immediate action and requested the federal government to release funds for immediately start working on its reconstruction. State officials expect the rebuilding of the bridge to take four years, and cost from $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. 

According to the recent report, the Biden administration ask Congress to release funds that will support and invest in the Baltimore bridge, highways in Hawaii and other road-building projects that need a reconstruction on immediately basis.