Cause of Key Bridge crash becoming clearer, NTSB says

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Top transportation officials shared new details Wednesday about the Baltimore bridge collapse to a committee of House lawmakers, who are now grappling with how to fund the new bridge.

The crash in late March left six people dead and shuttered a key waterway.

In its preliminary report, the National Transportation Safety Board now has some answers about what happened to cause a ship to crash into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.

“The Dali experienced four total power outages,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told the House Transportation Committee.

Homendy told lawmakers the cargo ship Dali experienced blackouts the day before the crash, but the focus is on an unexpected tripping of a breaker moments before the crash.

“They were essentially drifting,” Homendy said.

The state of Maryland estimates a new bridge will cost up to $1.9 billion, which President Biden has said the federal government will fully fund.

However, some Republicans say taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook.

“My constituents are not wanting to pay for this thing,” Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas.) said.

Texas Congressman Brian Babin said the cargo ship company should pay before Congress does.

“The country responsible for this incident should be footing the bill, not the U.S. taxpayer,” Babin said.

Others on the committee voiced support for having bridge tolls repay the federal funds that go toward the rebuild.

As lawmakers grapple with funding, Homendy urged states to examine their own bridges right now.

“Do a risk assessment. You can do that now. You don’t have to wait until we issue an urgent recommendation or come to the conclusion of our investigation,” Homendy said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the full channel will be opened by the end of the month. A new bridge is projected to be ready by 2028.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.