WASHINGTON - Maryland said on May 2 it estimates it will cost US$1.7 billion to US$1.9 billion (S$2.3 billion to S$2.6 billion) to rebuild a collapsed Baltimore bridge and anticipates it will be completed by autumn of 2028.

The Maryland Department of Transportation said the state’s “planning level cost estimate is between US$1.7 billion and US$1.9 billion” which “is in line with similar projects of this scale and complexity”.

The Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six people. Lawmakers in Congress are working on legislation that would waive the current requirement that the state pay 10 per cent of the rebuilding costs and ensure there is enough money in a federal rebuilding fund.

Maryland said it will request proposals to rebuild the bridge by the end of May and plans an industry forum on May 7.

The US Department of Transportation provided an initial US$60 million in emergency funds on May 2 to clear debris and start the process of rebuilding the bridge.

"We're going to get Baltimore whatever it needs to rebuild, said Senator Brian Schatz who chairs the subcommittee overseeing transportation funding.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said, "Any funds recovered from lawsuits for wrongdoing will be recouped by federal taxpayers." REUTERS