Baltimore, Maryland – Crews are gearing up for a controlled demolition to dismantle the largest remaining section of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland. The bridge collapsed after a massive container ship crashed into it on March 26, leaving the ship lodged in the debris and impacting maritime traffic in Baltimore’s busy port.
The steel span of the bridge landed on the ship’s bow after the Dali lost power and collided with a support column. Tragically, six members of a roadwork crew lost their lives in the collapse, with recovery efforts recently retrieving the final victim from the wreckage. All the victims were Latino immigrants who had come to the U.S. in search of job opportunities, and they were working overnight on road repairs when the bridge gave way.
The controlled demolition is a critical step in freeing the Dali from the wreckage and reopening the Port of Baltimore to maritime traffic. Once the ship is removed, thousands of workers in the maritime industry – including longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners – will see relief as operations return to normal. Meanwhile, the 21-member crew of the Dali will remain on board the vessel during the demolition, taking necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Engineers have meticulously planned the demolition process, using precision cuts to carefully bring down the steel structure in a controlled manner. This method allows for surgical precision and is considered one of the safest and most efficient ways to remove steel under tension. After the demolition, hydraulic grabbers will lift the steel sections onto barges for disposal.
Authorities emphasize that the controlled demolition will not resemble a movie scene, instead producing sounds comparable to fireworks or loud thunder. The process is expected to result in minimal disruption outside the immediate area. Previous estimates aimed to have the Dali removed by May 10 and the port’s main channel reopened by the end of the month.
While investigations into the bridge collapse continue, the focus has shifted to the ship’s electrical system as a potential factor in the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI are actively involved in probing the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The bridge collapse not only affected maritime operations but also highlighted the importance of safety protocols and infrastructure maintenance in preventing similar incidents in the future.