In the face of growing flooding risk and increased traffic following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, federal and state officials say protecting two of Baltimore's major transportation corridors from flooding is vital.
To help manage the risk of coastal flooding from rising sea levels and worsening storms, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recommended building $77 million and 9,500 feet of floodwalls to protect Baltimore’s I-95 Fort McHenry and I-895 Harbor tunnels, two of the city’s major traffic thoroughfares, according to an article from the Baltimore Banner. “The plan comes after USACE and the Maryland Department of Transportation completed a three-year study into coastal flooding problems around Baltimore and potential solutions” and as motorists are using the tunnels as alternative routes following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, reports Penelope Blackwell.
“It is very important to make sure these critical transportation routes remain open during a coastal storm event, maintaining access to jobs, commercial transportation routes and emergency services,” Joe Bieberich, the project manager for the storm risk study, said in the release.
According to the Baltimore Banner article, the Army Corps and the Maryland Transportation Authority are set to begin design work on the floodwalls later this year, with construction expected to start in 2027, pending congressional authorization and funding.
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