HOLLIDAY WOODARD
and PETER RICCIO Capital 九色视频 Service
In February, local reporters gathered on a chilly Friday morning for a unique opportunity: the chance to get up close and personal with the pre-construction work of the Key Bridge rebuilding.
Liv Barry/Dundalk EagleWASHINGTON 鈥 The Trump administration on Friday warned Maryland officials not to award contracts based on sex and race in the reconstruction of Baltimore鈥檚 Francis Scott Key Bridge.
鈥淎ny reliance on race- or sex-conscious factors in contracting decisions could introduce significant legal vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in the management of the project,鈥 Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a letter to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Friday.
The secretary criticized the project鈥檚 work plan, arguing that Moore has 鈥減rioritized race and gender-based requirements ahead of project completion.鈥
Democrats in the Maryland congressional delegation responded in a joint statement, noting the bridge project was approved by Congress.
鈥淎s we have with other major infrastructure disasters with nationwide implications, Congress came together on a bipartisan basis to provide the full resources necessary for reconstruction to ensure it can be rebuilt as quickly and efficiently as possible,鈥 the lawmakers said.
鈥淭he federal government鈥檚 commitment to fund the rebuild is enacted into law, and the construction contract was awarded through a legal, competitive, transparent process,鈥 they added.
Moore did not address Duffy鈥檚 comments about sex and race.
鈥淲e will continue to work with the Trump Administration to find ways to reduce costs and rebuild faster,鈥 Moore said in a statement. 鈥淭he safety of the bridge and the sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars remain our top priority as we work to fully restore economic vitality 鈥 not only to the Port of Baltimore and the State of Maryland, but for the people across the country.鈥
Along with concerns over hiring practices, Duffy questioned the reconstruction project鈥檚 budget.
鈥淒EI contracting practices and ballooning project costs are already threatening to delay this critical project,鈥 Duffy said. 鈥淲e will leverage our oversight authorities to ensure this vital bridge is rebuilt the right way.鈥
President Donald Trump last month said on social media he might have to 鈥渞ethink鈥 federal support for the Key Bridge. He called Baltimore 鈥渃rime ridden鈥 and 鈥渙ut of control鈥 and has threatened to send federal troops into the city, as he has in Los Angeles, Washington and Memphis.
Trump鈥檚 warning about the bridge funds followed Moore鈥檚 invitation to Trump to visit Baltimore or 鈥渒eep our name out of your mouth.鈥
The bridge collapsed in March 2024 after it was struck by a ship. The demolition of the bridge began in July. Following reconstruction, the bridge is slated to open in the fall of 2028.
Reactions
Get any of our free email newsletters 鈥 latest headlines or latest obituaries
Explore newslettersTo view our latest e-Edition, click the image on the left.
To read this edition of Shore magazine, please click on the link above.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.