The action plan for the recovery from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse was announced yesterday. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott laid out the city’s role in the plan.
"We have worked consistently since day one to offer every resource at our disposal to support both the families who lost loved ones in this unthinkable tragedy, and to the families who rely on the port to support themselves and their loved ones," Mayor Scott said. "From President Biden and our federal partners to Governor Moore and every state agency to my counterparts in Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County – we have all worked in partnership to put forward a comprehensive, collaborative, and effective response to the Key Bridge collapse."
The action plan includes direct support for the families of the six construction workers on the bridge who were killed, a wage subsidy program for businesses impacted by the closure of the Port of Baltimore, and assistance to port workers that will help with rent and utility payments.
Also included in the plan was a section for traffic modifications. “Higher traffic volumes on City roads are anticipated to continue for the forseeable future,” the action plan said. “The Baltimore City Department of Transportation is actively working to help mitigate the impact on local communities.”
According to the plan the Howard Street Tunnel Project will move forward, and the Hanover Street Bridge that is being used as a detour for trucks will need to be replaced. In addition, the Colgate Creek Bridge project will be expedited to handle the amount of traffic that is being re-routed.
"The action plan we're releasing today is about compiling the ongoing work, expanding the areas within the City of Baltimore's purview, and making it as accessible as possible for impacted residents. We will continue to confront this crisis, and whatever it brings, the same way we've done from the beginning – by doing it together," Mayor Scott said.
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Source: BaltimoreCity.gov, CBS News
