The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has announced a tentative timeline to open a limited access channel to restore safe navigation in and out of the Port of Baltimore after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The USACE plans to open a 280-foot-wide and 35-foot-deep channel by the end of April, allowing for one-way traffic for barge container service and some vessels transporting vehicles and farm equipment. The full channel, 700-foot-wide by 50-foot-deep, is expected to be reopened by the end of May to restore normal port access capacity.
Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, the USACE commanding general, emphasized the exhaustive work being done to understand the complexity of the wreckage and ensure the safety and precision of the restoration process. He acknowledged that the timeline is ambitious, with potential delays due to factors such as bad weather or changes in the condition of the wreckage. In addition to restoring port access, efforts are also focused on locating and recovering the two victims still missing in the wreckage from the bridge collapse.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge occurred when a cargo ship, the Dali, collided with a support column on the bridge, leading to the structure falling into the Patapsco River. Six members of a construction crew working on the bridge were killed in the incident, which took place around 1:30 a.m. on March 26. Police were able to prevent further traffic from entering the bridge just moments before the tragedy struck. The Port of Baltimore, which previously contributed approximately $15 million in economic activity daily, was significantly impacted by the bridge collapse.
The Port of Baltimore is the busiest in the U.S. for car shipments, handling over 750,000 vehicles in 2023. It is also the largest U.S. port by volume for agricultural products, farm and construction machinery. The reopening of the channel is crucial for the port’s operations, as it plays a significant role in the local and national economy. The USACE is working diligently to ensure the safe and timely restoration of the port’s access capacity to support the flow of goods and maintain economic activity.
The extensive work being done by the USACE and the Unified Command, including underwater surveys and detailed structural analysis of the wreckage, highlights the complexity and challenges of the restoration efforts. The safety of the restoration process is a top priority, as the USACE aims to fully open the federal channel to restore normal port access. With the importance of the Port of Baltimore in facilitating trade and economic activity, the successful reopening of the channel is crucial for the region’s economy and commerce.
