House committee convenes over federal Key Bridge collapse investigation

WASHINGTON (7News) — The catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26 has galvanized a comprehensive federal, state, and local government response. President Joe Biden has officially requested Congress pay to rebuild the Key Bridge. Maryland transportation officials estimate it will cost $1.9 billion to rebuild.

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a pivotal hearing to discuss the accident’s cause, ongoing clean-up effort, and plans to rebuild the key piece of American infrastructure.

Within the Rayburn House Office Building, federal leaders updated a committee of 64 lawmakers on what they've learned of the moments before and after the M/V DALI container ship lost power and collided with the bridge.

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Officials from the United States Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation, and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) testified.

“Our investigators are on the vessel as I testify today. It is unprecedented to be there this long,” NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy testified.

According to Homendy's written testimony, the NTSB has 12 marine safety investigators. Six were deployed to Baltimore and will be consumed by that investigation for months to come. The NTSB is currently investigating 60 other marine safety events across the U.S.

ALSO READ | NTSB releases initial report in Baltimore Key Bridge collapse

“The fact is, we need to add over 50 more investigators today to be fully staffed," Homendy said. "Our Office of Marine Safety alone needs an additional five positions.”

The NTSB received a $10.7 million increase in federal funding in 2024. Homendy testified that is a fraction of the need.

On Tuesday, the agency released its initial investigation into the Key Bridge collapse, finding four separate engine failures in the 10 hours before the DALI struck a critical structural support. The Key Bridge is one of nearly 17,000 American bridges built without redundant structural support, meaning if one component fails the entire bridge may fall.

“We are working with Maryland as they investigate pier protection on other bridges,” Homendy told the House committee Wednesday.

The leaders of other agencies involved in the disaster response testified to the scale of the clean-up operation and associated investigations.

“The work is not done. Active investigations continue along with the initial response,” U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier said.

Admiral Guatier testified all hazardous materials aboard the DALI were contained; echoing the NTSB’s initial findings that no contaminants leaked into Baltimore’s port.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deputy commanding general told Congress his team has not used its authority to this level in 50 years. Major General William H. Graham testified more than 1,000 individuals, including 350 uniformed personnel have pulled more than 6,000 tons of material out of Baltimore’s port channel.

Major General Graham said the most difficult engineering task thus far was removing the collapsed bridge from the DALI's deck. That section of the bridge was removed Monday in a controlled demolition.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has released $60 million in disaster funding. FHA administrator Shalien Bhatt requested Congress fund the full construction of a new bridge to current design standards.

While optimistic about recovery and rebuilding, Bhatt testified the scale of the Key Bridge disaster is unlike any other he’s been involved in.

“I have never seen anything at this scale. It is a monumental task,” Bhatt told members of Congress.

For nearly two months, Maryland state and federal crews have worked to clean up remnants of the bridge from the Patapsco River and prepare efforts to rebuild the roughly two-mile bridge, which could take up to four years to complete.

ALSO READ | Sixth victim of Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse recovered and identified

Baltimore City and Maryland leaders have also launched their investigations into the companies that own and operate the nearly 1,000-foot-long ship.

D.C. representative Eleanor Norton Holmes is the only committee member from within the DMV region.

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