Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) complete collapse after large ship hits it

[kphoger]

He shouldn't have made promises like that, the next day, without knowing anything about the facility such as it being a tollroad and not a federal aid highway, without understanding highway funding in general, making stupid comments about how he rode the train over the bridge, without knowing how completely out of step that promise would be historically, without out the appearance of it being largesse to a fellow state.

Perhaps.  But he did make that promise.  And that's presumably why the governor of Maryland didn't request him to declare a state of emergency.  If he hadn't made that promise, and if therefore the governor had requested an emergency declaration, then he surely would have granted the request.

[SEWIGuy]

$2 billion in 100% highway special federal funding for a non-emergency? Nothing like this has been done elsewhere.
I-35W bridge collapse at under $200 million would be the closest, and that -was- an emergency -- 130,000 AADT 8-lane urban Interstate highway -- and they did not charge a toll.
So I think it should be reviewed in Congress to see if special project specific funding legislation can be arranged -- that is a decent compromise.

It is not an emergency

You keep saying this.
A bridge collapses on an Interstate in a major city in 2007.  Both the mayor and the governor declare a state of emergency.  Apparently, this is an emergency.
A bridge collapses on an Interstate in a major city in 2024.  Both the mayor and the governor declare a state of emergency.  Apparently, this is not an emergency.
The only difference I see is that the President didn't declare a state of emergency after the Key Bridge collapse.  But that's only because the governor didn't ask the President to declare one.  And, in turn, that was likely because the President had already promised:
"It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect congress to support my effort. This will take some time. But the people of Baltimore can count on us to stick with them every step of the way until the port is reopen and the bridge is rebuilt. We're not leaving until this job is done."

He shouldn't have made promises like that, the next day, without knowing anything about the facility such as it being a tollroad and not a federal aid highway, without understanding highway funding in general, making stupid comments about how he rode the train over the bridge, without knowing how completely out of step that promise would be historically, without out the appearance of it being largesse to a fellow state. His party had a one-seat majority in the Senate where the omnibus bill originated. The whole process stinks like vomic.

There are processes in place whereby state and federal agencies could decide what to do in such a case. Not have the president immediately jump in with his ideas.

I am fine with this being addressed with a legitimate legislative process in the current Congress where a standalone bill can be considered as was in the case of I-35W bridge. Perhaps consider a federal share of 50% which would be a billion dollars and far greater than anyone has gotten before.

You really think the President of the United States needs to have a intricate knowledge over highway funding, and whether or not the road in question is a federal aid highway, before making funding promises after a high profile disaster like that? Cmon...

[Beltway]

Perhaps.  But he did make that promise.  And that's presumably why the governor of Maryland didn't request him to declare a state of emergency.  If he hadn't made that promise, and if therefore the governor had requested an emergency declaration, then he surely would have granted the request.

Depends -- the port was blocked to all ship traffic -- that is an emergency that requires clearing the wreckage which took 8 weeks to fully open the shipping channel. Emergency declaration and FEMA involvement is appropriate.

What to do regarding a new crossing is another separate issue. A broad strike force could have been empaneled to study for 4 weeks or so and come up with recommendations.

You really think the President of the United States needs to have a intricate knowledge over highway funding, and whether or not the road in question is a federal aid highway, before making funding promises after a high profile disaster like that? Cmon...

He has highway and transportation experts that he can consult. That doesn't mean that they are not mini me types, though.

Even a lowly guy like me can see the issues I outlined.

[kphoger]

It is not an emergency

that is an emergency

Now I'm confused.  Was the Key Bridge collapse an emergency, or wasn't it?

[Beltway]

It is not an emergency

that is an emergency

Now I'm confused.  Was the Key Bridge collapse an emergency, or wasn't it?

Creative snipping is cool.

This is the kind of discourse that the admins would most likely want to be over in the Fictional Highways group thread on the bridge.

[kphoger]

This is the kind of discourse that the admins would most likely want to be over in the Fictional Highways group thread on the bridge.

But I really am confused.  What is your position?  Is it that the collapse itself qualified as an emergency, but that the replacement does not?  I think that might be what you're saying.

[Beltway]

But I really am confused.  What is your position?  Is it that the collapse itself qualified as an emergency, but that the replacement does not?  I think that might be what you're saying.

These are two completely separate events and processes --
1. Clear the wreckage and restore navigation. That is a massive undertaking and all maritime traffic to a major harbor is blocked until then.

2. Build a new crossing. The road traffic immediately moved to other cross-harbor freeways.