I wholeheartedly support this legislation. What affect with we will call the committee to order. The 100 federal share have on i ask unanimous consent that the chairman be authorized to declare recess any time during todays hearing. That is so ordered. Efforts to rebuild the bridge as a reminder, members inserta quickly . Document the record please thank you for the question. I have spent a lot of time email them. Running state duties in my career. Ive been on the private side. At this point i will recognize this job works on bridges myself for the purposes of an across the globe. Opening statement. We are here today to discuss i would just say with the the initial federal response to benefit of the 100 share, it march 26, 2024, Early Morning incident involving the cargo just removes an element of vessel and Francis Scott key uncertainty. Right now i think maryland, i bridge in baltimore, maryland, which resulted in the have to commend maryland d. O. T. Subsequent collapse of the they have been consummate bridge. The first one at all and six professionals through the process. Right now, what they are workers who sadly perished. I contemplating is an er shortage that we have told them about that we have 3. 7 billion in unmet and the federal highway want to express our condolences and offer prayers to the administration has about 870 families and their loved ones. I also want to express our appreciation to the harbor million available for nationwide pilot and the Maryland Police er efforts. Authority who saved countless we believe we will have the funding there for you and then lives close in the bridge prior to the incident and all the theres the uncertainty of the 90 versus the 100 and 80 First Responders who were obviously involved in that process. Finally, i want to commend the federal, state, and local uncertainty. As you are planning out these officialsworking that night to multiyear multibilliondollar construction programs, not clear the wreckage and debris knowing whether or not that and obviously continuing that 170 million is going to be there, does it impact things effort to reopen the shipping channel that supports the port right now in this moment . Of baltimore. No. They will move forward but as the committee continues to they are projecting out and receive updates from federal agencies responding and trying to build the construction program, it is an element of uncertainty that can investigating the incident including those testifying here today. Hours after the collapse, be helpful. Just to clarify on the 100 , obviously any Insurance Payments as the Ranking Member had President Biden announced his intention for the federal mentioned would be reapplied. I government to pay for the initial cost of reconstruction the key bridge. Can pretty much with certainty we received a letter officially, requesting that we authorize the money to repair guarantee this will not be 100 federally funded eventually because we will recoup the Insurance Payments as possible and it will go back and to the the bridge. Ive personally spoken with governor moore on several er funds but as the ranking occasions. The federal Highway Administration emergency relief member mentioned we dont want program, within hours of to wait through the litigation and ntsb investigations and insurance. Receiving the application the federal Highway Administration thank you. I yelled back. Approved 60 million in Quick Release funding which it said represented 5 or so of the thank you, mr. Chairman for initial total project cost of putting this together. 1. 2 billion. This funding is expected to. Last week the army corps notified congressional offices assist with emergency repairs that they would be utilizing the to restore essential travel, to minimize damage from the emergency Programming Authority to reprogram approximately 33 million for operation and remaining facilities as well as repairs necessary to restore the highway to the predisaster condition. Under the program the federal government reimburses state maintenance for recovery qualifying workout 100 federal cost or first 270 days. Cost for the key bridge. After that initial 270 days, nearly 1 million was states are reimbursed at 80 to reappropriated from florida. 90 rate depending on the and projects in florida without classification of the program, any request or input from the which the program also provides state or the people. Flexibility to allow for reimbursement up to 90 in some while the recovery effort in baltimore is important, this reprogramming of the funds cases. This past friday, may 10, the represents the blatant disregard for florida and federal Highway Administration desperately needed Improvements Committee had designated a portion of 695 that includes to the Water Resources and infrastructure. General graham, the bridge as part of the interstate system effective april 25. That means they will be these Program Funds were deemed to be in excess, why did the guaranteed up to 90 . Core let these funds let sit all that is to say that while the president s request has for years and not use them for been received and under consideration, Congress Still has roughly 6 months to act projects in florida. Will they reimburse the south before any cost share might occur. Atlantic division for these funds. Despite initial estimates of 1. 2 billion to rebuild the bridge, reports now indicate congressman webster, thank you for these question. The example i used earlier of the state of maryland estimates the bridge may cost between the funds that we had set aside somewhere between 1. 7 billion and 1. 9 billion. For when a contractor put a claim, that was from jacksonville. It was from the its important we have a firm estimate before we take any further action on the cost share. Jacksonville harbor. In addition, the company that owned the ship must make sure the government actively works to recover any money that is owed. That could offset the bridge in this case that money is no funding or be used to make longer needed for the jacksonville harbor project. Those funds in particular that we had set them aside for a need and that meat did not companies that work and rely on the harbor to remain whole. Materialize, we will not seek recoupment for those. We did do so for those who wish to go see for themselves the committee will continue to facilitate this work, this emergency visits on a regular basis. Reprogramming work very rapidly. At this stage we need to make as i stated in my opening sure we are not forgetting to statement, we have not used this authority at the scale for 15 years. We were a little clunky at it let other agencies complete your investigation. In terms of notification to you we will ensure that numbers of and your staff. Congress have all the information that is available to them. I want to thank all of our i will use jacksonville district as an example, if witnesses for being here today. There are some of those funds i look forward to the testimony. That they do find a need for, i did talk to the governor just we will figure out a way to this morning about the hearing make sure that projects coming up. Continue. To your first comment on some he is pretty optimistic about of those old funds that have the litigation moving forward. Been sitting out there for a while, why havent we cleaned i mentioned that in my opening up the books sooner . Statement but it sounded very sir, you are absolutely right. We should have. Interesting and promising. You know better than most that the gulf states fight thank you, chair graves for against the National Holding the hearing. Contingency plan unified command structure response i want to thank the officials throughout the deep horizon oil for joining us. First, i want spill. The National Institute commander report included the states effort resulted in the to express my sympathies of the political and social six transportation workers that nullification of the oil spill. The Oil Spill Response for the lost their lives on the job maintaining this important doctrine and structuring governance. Piece of infrastructure. It appears from these reports this is a reminder why safety always has to be the top that meetings with maryland priority in transportation. Safety and workers, traveling public and the residence. State officials and members staff, plus a number of staff member trips to the wreck site, this is an incredibly complex that maryland embrace the National Incident command debris removal challenge. Structure and has worked well it supports significant Regional Economic and Global Shipping and loss of essential within that structure. Freight movements and roadway mobility in the midatlantic is the National Incident command structure still an region. Effective coordinating federal i want to commend you and the team and your leadership and the tireless efforts of the interagency and state and local women and men under your command and federal interactions during the incidents such as the dolly . For their work to safely remove the debris and return the congressman, i cannot agree channel to the operations that currently exist under extremely challenging circumstances. More with your statement. As the chief of staff on the it became clear when i visited the site last month. I want to thank the coast guard deepwater horizon spill and now for the partners on the unified being somebody who has been command especially maryland witness to the terrific work of state police. For guiding many members of the the unified effort in this one. It has been a very very congress in our various trips different in terms of to witness the damage. Cooperation and collaboration. Underpinning that is the i look forward to hearing the absolute necessity and benefit latest updates today regarding the cleanup and the estimated of the incident command system timeline for reopening the under the National Incident channel. Management system framework that has served this response we also need to learn what incredibly well is the doctrine of the u. S. Any agency entity, army corps, state can come together with a common lexicon, a common way of planning to resources and authorities will be needed from congress as the come together and make this full costs become more concrete. Work. I would also like to highlight the coast guard has expended significant 2020 for operation support funds. A real difference that has made we are grateful the coast guard always does what it needs to a difference. And that is that elected get the job done. It is reasonable to expect service to absorb these costs leadership and the operational leadership has been connected without impacting the coast guard ability to perform other in a very constructive way. From governor moore to mayor missions. The service must be made whole. Scott to members of congress currently fiscal 2020 for from the maryland delegation, they have taken it upon operations and maintenance funds are being used for the themselves to get regular channels. If not replenished it will updates and a great interest in impact planned repayments once the progress of the response. They have handled for the this is complete and in future unified command a lot of the years. These amounts are not submitted Public Affairs and external communications in a very upon response. Last week there was an ounce constructive way. They have actually provided the trade space for the operational reprogramming in 20 million of unused funds to continue work. Response to continue on without pressure, without being rushed. Its been very constructive. This level of reprogramming is unprecedented and demonstrates the absence of funds provided thank you very much. I yield back. By congress to get out of water chairman graves and not the vessels of the port and Ranking Member larsen for can reopen and continue. Holding this hearing on the i urge the koran the coast federal response of the Francis Scott key bridge collapse in maryland. I further extend my guard to communicate early and often what you need to ensure condolences to the families of support is uninterrupted and to the six individuals that lost do so in partnership with the their lives during the collapse. Legislative branch. I think our esteemed witnesses beyond the Immediate Response i for appearing today especially administrator bhatt who was in look forward to hearing from highway administrator about the memphis on monday. I timeline to replace the bridge appreciate you coming to see and the role the federal government is playing in the the urgent need to replace it process. Across the mississippi river. Congress has established the Emergency Relief Program in 1968 as part of the federal Highway Program to provide for of course as you well know a the reconstruction of highways and bridges in the event of a National Treasure to have disaster. Transportation across the congress understood that estate country. We had a problem last cannot be expected to cover the costs of an unforeseen emergency loss of a structure year with the 40 bridge and the out of the budget. I55 bridge could have the same that is true today. Officials estimate it will cost problem. It is projected to up to 1. 9 billion to replace the bridge. Theres a lot of estimates out there and its a broad range. Occur and has been predicted for about 20 years. I would not really call them it will occur more likely estimates at this point sooner than later. Frankly. D. O. T. Has provided 60 million in as you all look at the damages emergency relief funds. Prior to collapse the bridge caused partially i think ere service 34,000 vehicles a day. Because it was not built to sta this has increased crossings and other tunnels by 18 . Truck drivers carrying the peers may be could have Hazardous Materials must at 25 been buttressed and made it miles to get through baltimore more stable. Is that correct . On alternate routes. The mr. Bhatt, can you answer . Committee has a role to help rebuild this economic artery quickly and efficiently. I want thank you. To welcome the committee chair. It was good to spend some time looking at the bridge. I think one of the things we congratulations on your are waiting for, and it was reconfirmation last night. Great to see the preliminary report for the ntsb, but we the ntsb a thorough investigation of the catastrophe will help to answer questions that will sure will be working closely with the ntsb just to figure out exactly what types of ridges, save lives and protect protection might be needed for bridges and what might what americans. I look forward to what you are could have been possible. I do not want to step into the ntsb realm. Able to share based on the im sorry. Preliminary funding which was please. Thank you, sir. Released yesterday afternoon. Thank you to each of our witnesses. I look forward to for the key bridge we are obviously looking, there were what you all have to say. I yield back. Two dolphins on the east side and two on the west side. They are rather small and the i ask unanimous consent that vessels bypassed the dolphins. These statements be included in what ended up striking the peer the record without objection. Pier is the starboard side that is so ordered. I ask unanimous consent for the record. The hearing will remain of the bow that hit the column. Open until such time that the witnesses have provided answers. The pier protection around the any questions may be submitted column itself is timber, in writing that is also sorted. Concrete, a little bit of steel. It is very close to the pier i also ask unanimous consent that the record remain open for itself. Other structures that we are 15 days for additional comments by members or witnesses to be included in the record of looking at have pier protection todays hearing. Without objection that is so that comes out farther. Ordered. The vessel cannot get to the column. Other dolphins are much larger the written testimony has obviously been included in the so we are looking at other records of the Committee Asks that you try to limit your oral remarks to five minutes. Structures across the united with that, vice admiral, you states to see good models. Are recognized for five minutes. Thank you for being here. Thank you, chairman, ranking the key here is you have a member, numbers of the committee. Good morning. Bridge that was opened in 1997. Thank you for your remarks over time, its not the bridge about the coast guard and opening remarks. I look forward to the that is getting larger. Opportunity to testify. Atop the waterway getting rly hours of march 26 larger. Its the vessels that are the container shipped only getting larger. Not just with width but height. And collapse the Francis Scott key bridge. Six individuals lost their lives. Baltimore loss to landmark part of its skyline and the region its important that they are suffered a blockage of crucial looking from a Risk Assessment waterways. We continue to honor the memory standpoint but is now going through, what is the vessel of those victims. Today at the 51 day point over traffic . How are how is the 6000 tons of steel and concrete infrastructure protected . Have been removed from the wreckage field. Access has been restored to the port of baltimore with more with the bridges built after than 35 large commercial 1977 that were built in a vessels sailing through a fashion that they would have limited Access Channel and 375 been was able to withstand such an impact . Additional commercial recreation vessels have used temporary Access Channels. The thats an important question first of which was established six days after the collapse. Hazardous materials aboard the motor vessel were stabilize