The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, has caused a major disruption to marine traffic entering the Port of Baltimore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard have been tasked with the cleanup effort, but it is still too early to provide an estimate on when the wreckage will be removed. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned that the rebuilding process will be neither quick nor easy nor cheap. The Army Corps of Engineers’ Baltimore District has activated its emergency operations center to provide support to local, state, and federal agencies responding to the bridge collapse.
The Army Corps of Engineers will be providing underwater assessment capabilities, structural engineering support, and removal of debris in the waterway that could pose threats to navigation. Divers recovered two bodies from the river on Wednesday, with four other construction workers still missing and presumed dead. Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland Butler has stated that the operation has shifted from recovery to salvage due to the challenging conditions surrounding the wreckage. Maryland Governor Wes Moore acknowledges that the total costs and timeline for the cleanup effort are currently unknown but emphasizes that the state’s resolve is unshaken and they will work together to complete the task and take care of those affected by the tragedy.
The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has led to a major operation to remove the wreckage and restore marine traffic flow in the Patapsco River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard are working together to clean up the area, but no timeline estimates for the reopening of the channel have been provided. The emergency operations center in the Army Corps of Engineers’ Baltimore District has been activated to support various agencies responding to the bridge collapse. Structural engineering support, underwater assessment capabilities, and debris removal will be provided to ensure safe navigation in the waterway.
The recovery operation in the Patapsco River has shifted to a salvage operation due to the challenging conditions surrounding the collapsed bridge. Divers have recovered two bodies from the river, and four other construction workers are still missing and presumed dead. Maryland Governor Wes Moore acknowledges the daunting task ahead but affirms their resolve to work together and leave no one behind. The total costs and timeline for the cleanup effort are currently unknown, but the state is committed to completing the task and supporting those affected by the tragedy. The community is coming together to support the recovery efforts and ensure that the area is restored to its former state.
