The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has scheduled a hearing on May 15 to scrutinize the government’s handling of the Baltimore bridge collapse.
Six individuals lost their lives when the Dali cargo ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26.
Expected to attend the hearing are prominent figures such as Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy, and senior officials from the U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers.
The NTSB is anticipated to reveal initial findings from its investigation during the session.
Last month, NTSB Chair Homendy disclosed that interviews with significant cargo ship personnel had been conducted, including the pilots and the second officer who was on watch during the collision.
The NTSB has scrutinized the ship’s voyage data recorder, examined the engine room’s equipment, and tested the onboard fuel.
Maryland authorities estimated the bridge’s reconstruction cost to range between $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion, with an anticipated completion date set for fall 2028.
Congressional legislators are considering legislation to waive the state’s 10% rebuilding cost requirement and ensure adequate federal funding.
The U.S. Department of Transportation had initially allocated $60 million in emergency funds for debris removal and bridge reconstruction initiation.
The tragic collision has prompted concerns about the structural integrity of other vital U.S. bridges, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures and preventative action.
