The amendments sought to eliminate funding key to projects for the Port of Baltimore, Baltimore City and the State Maryland. It is well documented that the S-turn poses a serious problem and safety risk for vessels.
Ships often have to change course five times within three miles to navigate the turn.
The straightening of the turn has been recommended and supported by the State of Maryland, Maryland Port Administration, The Fifth U.S. Coast Guard District, and the Association of Maryland Pilots. Nearly 8,000 Baltimore City residents are directly employed by port businesses and as many as 30,000 additional City residents have jobs related to port activity.