The Port of Baltimore’s shipping channel has fully reopened, 11 weeks after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed following a collision with a cargo ship. The US Army Corps of Engineers has declared the passageway where the bridge buckled as “safe for transit.”
Restoration of the Channel
The channel, which is 700ft (213m) wide and 50ft (15m) deep, has been restored to its original operational dimensions. Crews had to remove 50,000 tonnes of wreckage to achieve this, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The Dali ship veered into the bridge span on March 26, causing the collapse and resulting in the death of six construction workers. The crash cut off a vital shipping artery, trapping the vessel under the wreckage in the Patapsco River.
Massive Salvage Operation
A massive salvage operation involving around 2,000 responders, including hundreds of specialists from around the world, was undertaken to clear the debris. The operation utilized a fleet of tugboats and more than a dozen floating cranes to remove the heap of steel and concrete.
Statements and Reactions
Baltimore District Commander Col Estee Pinchasin expressed condolences, stating, “Although the overarching goal to restore full operational capacity to the Federal Channel was successful, each day we thought of those who lost their lives, their families, and the workers impacted by this tragic event.”
Investigation and Future Plans
The FBI and US Coast Guard are currently investigating the incident. Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board reported that the Dali had lost power several times before ramming into the bridge. Rebuilding the span is expected to take over four years and cost up to $1.9 billion (£1.5 billion), according to Maryland state authorities
The Dali was moved by tugboats last month, one of the final steps needed to clear shipping routes. The reopening of the channel marks a significant milestone in the recovery process following the tragic event.
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Written by Doris Chinwe Omemgbeoji