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ANNAPOLIS — Governor Wes Moore penned an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun reflecting on the somber anniversary of the tragic event and outlining the state’s continued commitment to recovery, infrastructure renewal, and support of affected families and workers.
In the piece, Governor Moore highlights the incredible resilience and unity demonstrated by Marylanders in the two years following the collapse, noting that the reconstruction of the Key Bridge—which is advancing at an unprecedented pace for a project of its magnitude—and the restoration of the Port of Baltimore are testaments to the state’s strength and determination.
Read the full op-ed in the Baltimore Sun below:
Two years ago, a ship the size of three football fields struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a nearly two-mile-long bridge that served as a core artery of the irreplaceable Port of Baltimore. That tragedy changed Maryland forever.
When I was first woken at 2:02 a.m., I realized Maryland was facing one of the most catastrophic moments in our history — one with not only national, but international implications. I also knew that recovery would demand all of us. Two years later, I remain grateful that our people have shown the world what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong. We have done this not only in how we remember those we lost, but in how we reflect, rebuild and rise together.
For the families still carrying the loss of loved ones, for the Port of Baltimore workers, South Baltimore residents and small businesses whose daily lives were upended — this anniversary is Maryland’s moment to remember and to recommit. We will never forget the Marylanders who lost their lives when the bridge fell: José Mynor López, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez.
We will never forget the heroic actions of the first responders who saved countless Marylanders. We will never forget the philanthropic, business and community leaders who raised their hands and committed to supporting our people affected by the Key Bridge collapse. The collapse of the Key Bridge demanded an immediate response — and a sustained, daily response over the past two years.
In the wake of tragedy, state, local and federal partners joined together to achieve historic feats — and not a day has gone by over the past two years that we have not been working on this mission. Intentionality, speed and safety have guided every step. Recovery operations were completed in record time. State agencies worked tirelessly to distribute more than $42 million in emergency funding to keep impacted businesses open and support affected workers in surrounding communities. The shipping channel reopened to help restore trade and preserve jobs. And the rebuild is well underway.
This urgency has produced extraordinary results. When we were told it could take 11 months to clear the federal channel, it was cleared in 11 weeks. Permitting for a bridge of this size and scale can take years, but we moved it in months. A 70% design for a bridge of this magnitude can take five to seven years, but we reached that milestone in 14 months. When some projected the loss of jobs, Maryland’s vigorous response instead led to job growth during this period.
And to put the pace of this rebuild in context, look at other major bridge projects. The Gordie Howe Bridge took years just to get permitting. The Texas Harbor Bridge took 13 years of planning.
Yet while the Dali struck the Key Bridge during my tenure, I plan to be the governor who cuts the ribbon to reopen it. Our administration has taken decisive action by securing federal emergency funding, fast-tracking environmental reviews, mobilizing design-build partnerships and continuing close cooperation with the federal administration to accelerate reconstruction.
In January, I met with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to advance our federal-state partnership focused on controlling costs, mitigating risk and delivering the best outcomes for Maryland, the region and the country. As the secretary has noted, this is the fastest-moving large infrastructure project in the United States of America. And we plan on keeping it that way.
At a time when too many people wonder whether building great, big things is still possible in our country, Maryland is proving that it is. We will continue to recover, rebuild and rise together. And we will keep moving forward until the new Key Bridge arches above Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront skyline.