Free Republic

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) unveiled the design for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge almost a year after it was hit by a cargo ship, causing it to collapse. "Today, we take an important step toward recovering from the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that has affected not just Maryland's economy, but the nation's economy," said Gov. Moore. "While we mark the unveiling of the new bridge design, we continue to honor the six Marylanders who lost their lives while serving our state and their families who carry their legacy forward. Together, we...

The omnibus spending bill had $8 billion dollars for the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement. . That is way too much money to rebuild the Key Bridge. Easily four times as much as it should cost. ... This reminds the Oahu rail project. Around $12B, tons of fraud... total failure of a project. Does not meet intent. Also heavy foreign outsourcing for building talent. How much did it cost to build the bridge initially, adjusted for inflation? - The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024, initially cost about $61 million to build in 1977. Adjusted for inflation...

Washington DC is now officially known as Pork City! Why? Take a look at the House’s Continuing Resolution to to keep the Federal government funded. Includes $110 billion in disaster assistance for relief efforts in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, and Western region, among others. The 1,547 page federal spending bill has so many outrageous things in it, it’s hard to know where to begin – but it without a doubt should NOT pass as-is. But a great example of why we need @doge more than ever to reel in the governments insane spending & redundancies. Highlights: 1. $8 BILLION—For...

Many history buffs can explain how “The Star-Spangled Banner” was penned by Francis Scott Key after he witnessed the failed British bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in 1814, and some may also know that the song became the U.S. national anthem in 1931. Lesser known are the details of the 117-year journey that shepherded its transformation from inspired poem to officially sanctioned emblem of American patriotism. Originally printed under the title “Defence of Fort M’Henry” and set to the then-popular melody of “The Anacreontic Song,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as it later became known, quickly struck a chord among the citizens...

Traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is temporarily suspended late Monday morning as the Dali — a cargo ship that collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to its collapse — makes its journey to port in Norfolk, Virginia. The Maryland Transport Authority (MDTA) said that traffic is temporarily paused on the Bay Bridge, as of 11 a.m. In an earlier statement, the Maryland Transport Authority (MDTA) said that “out of an abundance of caution,” it would be holding traffic on the Bay Bridge on Monday between 11 a.m. and noon as the marine vessel Dali passes beneath. The...

A third temporary channel opened Saturday at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Commercial vessels were able to use the Fort Carroll Temporary Alternate Channel, which has a controlling depth of 20 feet, a 300-foot horizontal clearance and a vertical clearance of 135 feet. Earlier in the month, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials said they expect to open a limited access channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of April. The channel would support one-way traffic in and out of the port for barge container service and some vessels that move automobiles and farm...

The Port of Baltimore is “closed until further notice” following the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy, sending several industries into disarray and jeopardizing national security. In 2023, the port handled a record amount of international cargo, ranked ninth for both dollar value and tonnage in the United States. Vital for both imports and exports of a variety of commodities, the Port of Baltimore has always had international significance and the impact of its closure will be wide-ranging and long-term for the supply chain in the United States and beyond. Given the seriousness of this issue, Congress must come together to...

Civil rights groups are calling for the collapsed Baltimore bridge to be renamed when it's rebuilt, citing accusations of racism against national anthem author Francis Scott Key. Leaders argued that the The Star-Spangled Banner author -who the collapsed bridge was named after - was a slave owner who wrote lyrics that scholars have said 'demeaned black people.' They have asked for the bridge to be renamed after late congressman Parren J Mitchel, the first black man from Maryland elected to the US House of Representatives.

Zach presents a good summary of some unanswered questions and anomalies surrounding the Baltimore bridge collapse. The video runs just over 27 minutes long.

As The Gateway Pundit reported earlier the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy announced the voyage data recorder known as the “black box’ was recovered from the DALI cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge early Tuesday morning. On Tuesday evening, Homendy and NTSB investigator Marcel Muise held a press conference to reveal the data on the DALI’s black box, also known as the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR).

"My expectation would be that ultimately there'll be insurance payments." 30 second video at link. Bonus clip: RNC Research @RNCResearch Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen claims Biden's priority is "getting the cost of living down" and "lowering energy prices." FACT: Overall prices are up 18.6%, electricity costs are up 28.4%, and gas prices are up 48% since Biden took office. https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1773031172810961263

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) on Wednesday called for “full accountability” following the collapse of the Francis Key Scott Bridge in Baltimore that left six people presumed dead. Moore said on CNN there “needs to be a full and thorough investigation.” “What led up to this? What made the ship lose power? What made them lose the ability to be ability to steer the ship? Do we have the right infrastructure that’s in place to be able to protect the people of our state,” he said. “So I think there needs to be a full reckoning, a full accountability, and...

""Old Joe Biden Says He Took Train Across the Collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge “Many Times” – That’s Odd, Considering the Bridge Does Not Have a Rail Line!""" Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he hade taken the TRAIN over the Francis Scott Key Bridge “many times.” Joe Biden: “About 1:30 a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge which I’ve been over many, many times commuting from the state of Delaware either by train or by car.” That’s odd, considering their is no rail line on the bridge. The bridge was built for automobiles and trucks.

Dali cargo ship suffered 'severe electrical problem' while docked in Baltimore days prior to bridge collapse crash that saw it suffer 'total power failure, loss of engine failure', port worker saysThe Dali cargo ship which smashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge suffered a 'severe electrical problem' while docked in Baltimore days before, according to a port worker. Julie Mitchell, co-administrator of Container Royalty, a company which tracks cargo, told CNN the ship was anchored at the port for at least 48 hours prior to the deadly crash. 'And those two days, they were having serious power outages… they had...

A Republican candidate for governor of Utah has linked diversity, equity, and inclusion to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The bridge collapsed early Tuesday after the cargo ship Dali drifted into a bridge support. Among the reactions that looked past the immediate cause, state Rep. Phil Lyman appeared to indicate that the makeup of the commissioners for the Port of Baltimore was a factor in the incident. Lyman is challenging Gov. Spencer Cox for the Republican nomination... This is what happens when you have Governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens,”...

Guest editorial by Jim Nelles: The video footage of the Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel, the Dali, crashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is truly horrifying. Video footage shows the ship’s lights flickering on and off, indicating it lost power shortly before crashing into the bridge’s stanchion. The video also shows black smoke coming from the ship’s exhaust vents, indicating that the crew was trying to restart diesel engines. Unfortunately, eight workers were performing construction on the bridge at the time of collapse, only two of whom were rescued. Given the temperatures of the Patapsco River, they must be...

Fox News is amplifying a racist conspiracy on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Because of course it is. At about 1:40 a.m. EST on Tuesday, a 1,000-foot cargo ship careened past large concrete obstacles ahead of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, colliding with one of its structural pillars and toppling it into the Patapsco River. Mere hours later, conservatives were already hurling their racist conspiracy theories against the wall to see what sticks. In an early morning broadcast, Fox Business attempted to tie the horrific situation—which was deemed a developing mass casualty event by the Baltimore City Fire Department—to...

President Biden vowed Tuesday to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge after it collapsed into the water when a cargo ship rammed into it, echoing what some Maryland officials said earlier but adding that he expects the federal government to foot the bill. “It’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “This is going to take some time, but the people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them at every...

What's Going on With Shipping? March 26, 2024 In this episode on the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb🍺, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, Somali Basin, and Strait of Hormuz, Sal Mercogliano - maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discusses the allision between MV Dali and the Baltimore Key Bridge.

Team Baltimore, Team Maryland, FBI investigating, Buttiboy coming to the rescue.