Reconstruction of collapsed Baltimore bridge will take more than four years

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Rebuilding the Baltimore bridge that collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship will take just over four years and cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, a report said Thursday. transportation official.

Meanwhile, authorities announced Wednesday night that they recovered the body of a fifth person who died in the March 26 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

The state of Maryland plans to build a new bridge by fall 2028, said David Broughton, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. He emphasized that the estimates are preliminary and that engineering details have not been finalized.

On Wednesday night, authorities announced they recovered the body of a fifth person who was missing when the bridge collapsed.

Six members of a road crew died after falling into the water on March 26 when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after one of its columns was struck by a container ship.

On Wednesday, the body of Miguel Ángel Luna González, 49, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, was found, the Unified Rescue Command reported.

All of the deceased were immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

“We continue to pray for Miguel Ángel Luna González, his family and all who love him, recognizing the anguish they have experienced since the bridge collapse,” Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday in a statement. “We pray for comfort, we pray for healing, and we pray for the peace of knowing that his loved one has finally come home.”

Rescuers on Wednesday found one of the missing construction vehicles in the water and notified the Maryland State Police, officials said. Investigators from the state police, the Maryland Transportation Authority and the FBI went to the scene and found the body inside a red truck. The state police underwater recovery team also attended.

Meanwhile, the bridge’s insurance company confirmed Thursday that it will pay $350 million to the state of Maryland, in what will likely be the first of many disbursements related to the collapse.

Chubb, the insurance company, is preparing to make the payment of 350 million, according to the intermediary company, WTW. Douglas Menelly, a spokesman for WTW, confirmed Thursday the plans for the disbursement, which were first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Chubb did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.