Key Bridge Reconstruction Funding in Question as Competition for Disaster Funds Grows

U.S. House Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) believes the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland will ultimately be paid for using federal disaster funds, but he is uncertain whether the full $2 billion project will be completed within the next few months.

In a live interview on FOX45 News on Wednesday, Congressman Harris acknowledged the intense competition for those disaster relief funds, particularly in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in the South.

“I am pretty sure ultimately it will be paid out of disaster funds, but right now there’s a lot of competition for those funds,” Harris said.

While he expressed confidence that at least a “down payment” on the Key Bridge reconstruction can be made, Harris was less certain about the timeline for the project’s completion.

“Will it all get done in the next few months, the entire $2 billion? I am not sure,” he stated.

This uncertainty comes despite President Joe Biden’s recent call for Congress to fully fund the Key Bridge replacement by the end of this year. During a visit to the Port of Baltimore earlier this month, the President declared, “As I promised last spring, we won’t stop until the new bridge is finished completely. Finished. Finished. Finished. I am calling on Congress to fully fund it this year, before we go out. This year.”

Congressman Harris, who is Maryland’s lone Republican representative in Congress, said he has spoken with House Speaker Mike Johnson about the reconstruction efforts and is “pretty sure” they will be able to waive the typical 10% state cost-share requirement. Earlier this year, the Maryland Congressional Delegation introduced the Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act, which would allow the federal government to fully fund the Key Bridge replacement.

In the past, Rep. Harris has suggested Congress should consider offsetting the reconstruction costs by rescinding “billions of dollars in unused EV tax credits and EV charging infrastructure” and redirecting those funds instead.

The total cost for rebuilding the Key Bridge is estimated to be between $1.7 and $1.9 billion, with a projected construction timeline of around four years, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

As Congress grapples with funding priorities amid growing demand for disaster relief, the fate of the Key Bridge reconstruction project remains uncertain. Congressman Harris’ cautious optimism reflects the challenge of securing the necessary federal resources to complete this critical infrastructure project in a timely manner.