The Building Bridges to Recovery Coalition, comprised of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and other leading organizations, quickly mobilized following the March 26 collapse of the Key Bridge to survey businesses affected by the bridge collapse. The findings reveal the incident’s widespread impacts across diverse industries and geographic areas, with transportation disruptions leading to delays, skyrocketing freight costs and logistical crises for companies statewide. By coming together across agencies, organizations and communities, we can navigate this challenge while reinforcing Maryland as a prime environment where commerce thrives, jobs flourish, and economic strength endures for future generations.
Case study: One of the most significantly impacted businesses is CSX, a railroad industry titan with over 190 years of deep roots in Maryland. Last year alone, CSX’s Curtis Bay terminal generated over $335 million in total economic value for our state while sustaining more than 1,400 local jobs at an average salary exceeding $73,000 — significantly higher than Maryland’s average wage. The sheer volume of coal moving through the Curtis Bay Piers helps position the Port of Baltimore as the second largest exporter of coal in the country, providing the port with access to $20 million annually in federal dredging dollars, which plays an important role in ensuring the Port of Baltimore has access to global markets far beyond just coal.
