Wes Moore says cost to repair bridge could be up to $1.9B

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said the cost to repair the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed earlier this year, could range between $1.7 and $1.9 billion.

“The Biden administration have been phenomenal partners. So, we know the estimated cost could be between $1.7 and $1.9 billion. And the reason that we are urging a federal cost share, and a 100-percent cost share, is just simply because we have to move quickly. And I need to get this done on time and on budget. We know that in order to move fast, we’ve got to get that 100-percent cost share,” Moore said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

“So we’re spending time working with members of both sides of the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, but to know that if we can work together in this moment, we are going to get something really important for the American economy done,” he added.

The shipping lane into the Port of Baltimore fully reopened last week, more than two months after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the bay in March. The bridge had fallen after a massive vessel struck the bridge, causing the port to close.

President Biden promised that the federal government would foot the bill to rebuild the bridge, but that suggestion was met with some backlash from Republicans. He also celebrated the port fully reopening last week.

Moore said he was “confident” he could get the federal funding support to rebuild the bridge.

“I’ve been incredibly encouraged by the amount of support that we’ve received from both Democrats and Republicans. And I do feel confident we’re going to get this done,” he added.