US House committee to hold hearing on Baltimore bridge collapse

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on May 15 to address the federal government’s response to the bridge collapse in Baltimore caused by the cargo ship Dali crashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The incident resulted in the deaths of six people. Key officials involved in the investigation, including Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt and National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, will testify at the hearing where preliminary investigation results are expected to be released.

Investigators have interviewed personnel from the cargo ship, including pilots and the second officer on watch during the crash, as well as U.S. Coast Guard personnel. The NTSB has closely examined the ship’s electrical power system, circuit breakers, and fuel. Maryland estimates the cost of rebuilding the bridge to be between $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion and aims to complete it by fall 2028. Congress is considering legislation to repeal the 10% state cost requirement for reconstruction and ensure sufficient federal recovery funding.

The U.S. Department of Transportation provided $60 million in emergency funding for debris clearance and bridge rebuilding. The incident has sparked concerns about the structural integrity of other major bridges in the U.S. with lawmakers acknowledging the need for greater structural protections. The NTSB’s investigation and congressional actions are aimed at preventing similar bridge collapses in the future.

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