Baltimore, Maryland – Recovery efforts at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland have taken a crucial step forward. Crews have begun the process of removing shipping containers from the vessel Dali, a 980-foot ship that lost power and collided with the bridge on March 26, leaving a key portion of the roadway suspended above the containers onboard.
The removal of these containers is an essential step to safely move the Dali and ultimately reopen the Fort McHenry Channel. The Unified Command, which consists of first responders, recovery crews, and various agencies involved in the redevelopment of the bridge and waterway, is overseeing the operation. The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Maryland State Police are among the entities collaborating on the project.
Efforts to move the ship are not only critical for removing the wreckage but also for reopening the port to traffic. The closure of the port since the collision has significantly impacted operations, with only a limited number of vessels able to navigate through temporary channels. Restoring full port traffic is a key goal for officials to resume normal operations, as the Port of Baltimore is a vital hub for imported cars in the United States.
With an average of 34,000 vehicles crossing the Key Bridge daily, the urgency to rebuild the bridge has intensified. Until the wreckage is cleared, the reconstruction process cannot begin, stated Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers aims to restore full port traffic by the end of May through the development of a wider and deeper federal navigation channel. In the meantime, temporary measures such as the opening of a one-way shipping lane by the end of April are expected to ease some traffic congestion in the port.
The bridge’s collapse has had a significant impact on the movement of vessels in and out of the port, given that the Fort McHenry Channel has been blocked. However, temporary solutions have allowed for limited traffic, ensuring some level of access to the port. The overall goal remains to regain full functionality and efficiency in port operations as soon as possible.