Costs rising

The cost of clearing the collapsed Port of Baltimore bridge has risen by more than 40 per cent since July, to more than US$71 million, according to reports. The cost of the likely claim has been causing concern among marine insurers. Maryland officials initially awarded a $50 million contract to construction company Skanska, to cover the clearing of large sections of highway bridge trusses, steel girders, the main bridge deck and concrete parapets. The increase covers the cost of cranes, large hopper barges, labour and equipment for an additional two weeks' work and processing of steel from the bridge's main span, which were not considered in the original estimate.