Reconstruction of collapsed Baltimore bridge will cost nearly $2 billion

Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapsed in March after it was hit by a huge container ship that lost power while leaving the city’s port. the collision abandoned the damaged container ship Dalí trapped under the remains of the bridge and made in and out of the Baltimore Harbor almost impossible. Now, experts have revealed the cost of replacing the damaged bridge – and it’s a staggering figure.

While recovery efforts on the bridge continue, the Maryland Department of Transportation has confirmed that it plans replace Francis Scott Key Bridge as soon as possible, reports the associated press. However, the cost of replacement could run into billions of dollars, as the site explains:

Maryland plans to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in just over four years at an estimated cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, a state transportation official said Thursday.

The state plans to build a new span by fall 2028, said David Broughton, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of Transportation. He said the cost estimate is preliminary and no detailed engineering details have been confirmed.

When it comes to who will foot the bill the gigantic construction effortIt appears that it will be primarily up to state and federal officials to disburse the majority of the funds.

The Dali operator has so far carried out several tries to limit your financial responsibility, which included appealing to an old maritime law that limits the amount shipping companies must spend after a disaster. He also looked for ways to spread his responsibility among all companies that had cargo on board.

State funds will not be just to pay for the new bridgeHowever, as AP revealed, the insurance company behind the river crossing has confirmed that it will pay $350 million for repairs. The payment, which will be made to the state of Maryland, “is expected to be the first of many payments related to the collapse,” the AP reports.

Although the promise of a new river crossing in baltimore is a ray of hope after the catastrophic collapse, today brought a reminder of the true cost of the collapse when another body was recovered from the remains of the bridge.

When the Dali crashed into the Scott Key Bridge, six construction workers were killed in the collision and now rescue workers have recovered a fifth body. As AP adds:

The Key Bridge Unified Response Command announced that the victim found Wednesday was identified as Miguel Ángel Luna González, 49, of Glen Burnie, Maryland. All of the victims were Latino immigrants who came to the United States from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

There remains one highway worker who died in the collision and has not yet been recovered from the rubble.

A version of this article originally appeared on Jalopnik..