Aruna Miller Highlights Maryland’s Resilient Response To Key Bridge Collapse

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY – At the Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) Summit held here, Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller took center stage to spotlight Maryland’s rapid and compassionate response to the Key Bridge tragedy.

The Key Bridge disaster occurred when the container ship Dali struck one of the bridge’s support columns, leading to a catastrophic collapse. Six construction workers on the bridge at the time were killed. The Dali was operated by a crew that was mostly Indian,

Miller, a trained transportation engineer and the first South Asian woman elected to statewide office in Maryland, participated in a special live edition of The Infrastructure Podcast hosted by Antony Oliver. In the discussion, she detailed how her dual identity—both as an immigrant and an infrastructure expert—influences her understanding of the human dimension of public works.

“Great infrastructure isn’t just built with concrete—it’s built with purpose,” she said. “In Maryland, we’re not only restoring what was lost at the Key Bridge—we’re strengthening the ties that connect and empower our communities.”

Her remarks provided insight into the multi-layered response that followed the collapse of the Key Bridge, which serves as a critical transportation artery. Miller highlighted how Maryland worked closely with federal, state, and local agencies to accelerate recovery efforts. She also touched on the state’s efforts to support grieving families and the local workforce, particularly port workers whose livelihoods were disrupted.

The TIP NYC Summit, hosted by Bentley Systems’ Infrastructure Policy Advancement group, is part of a global series aimed at reshaping how infrastructure is designed and delivered. The New York event was held in collaboration with the British Consulate General New York, IBM, Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, the Women in Infrastructure Network, and United for Infrastructure.