The Port of Baltimore has opened a third temporary channel for boats to enter and depart as efforts continue to salvage the collapsed sections of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This alternate channel, located to the northeast of the fallen bridge, is open to commercially essential vessels and offers a controlling depth of 20 feet, a horizontal clearance of 300 feet, and a vertical clearance of 135 feet. Port officials believe that with this new channel, about 15% of pre-collapse commercial activity will resume. The bridge collapsed on March 26 after being struck by the cargo ship Dali, prompting the need for temporary access routes.
The opening of this new channel is a significant step in restoring maritime traffic to the Port of Baltimore, one of the East Coast’s busiest maritime transit hubs. Officials are working towards opening a channel by the end of the month that will allow most maritime traffic back into the port. Work is currently underway to remove thousands of tons of debris sitting atop the Dali, the cargo ship involved in the bridge collapse. Six roadwork crew members on the bridge tragically lost their lives, and efforts are being made to recover the bodies of the two crew members still missing.
Workers on the scene are using massive cranes to remove steel debris from the collapsed bridge, with approximately 1,300 tons already removed. The debris on the Dali must be cleared before the vessel can be returned to the port. This salvage operation is crucial in ensuring the safety of the waterway and restoring normal operations to the port. The temporary channels provide essential access for ships while the main channel is worked on, allowing for continued commerce and trade through the Port of Baltimore.
Port officials, Coast Guard officials, and other stakeholders are working diligently to mitigate the impact of the bridge collapse on maritime traffic. The opening of the third temporary channel marks a positive development in these efforts, allowing a greater variety of vessels to access the port. As the salvage operation continues and efforts to recover the missing crew members progress, the focus remains on restoring full functionality to the Port of Baltimore. The collaborative efforts of all involved parties are essential in overcoming the challenges posed by the bridge collapse and ensuring the continued success of the port.
