The vehicle carrier Tosca passes through an open section of the Federal channel as crane barges continue work on clearing the debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge more than two months after the catastrophic collapse. The collapse occurred on March 26 after the cargo ship Dali crashed into the infrastructure. This left six people dead and obstructed maritime traffic into the harbor.
The Port of Baltimore processed a record 1.1 million containers and $80.8 billion in foreign cargo value last year, according to state data. The collapse of the bridge was a devastating blow to the port, which serves as a crucial gateway for goods coming into the U.S.’ busiest auto port. Six highway construction crew members who were carrying out overnight road work plunged to their deaths during the incident.
On Monday evening, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that the Fort McHenry Federal Channel had been fully restored to its original operational dimensions of 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep for commercial transit through the Port of Baltimore. Col. Estee Pinchasin, Baltimore District commander, stated, “We’ve cleared the Fort McHenry Federal Channel for safe transit. USACE will maintain this critical waterway as we have for the last 107 years.”
The cleanup process started on March 30 and removed about 50,000 tons of bridge wreckage from the Patapsco River, allowing for the gradual reopening of the channel in the weeks since. Salvage crews are continuing to work on removing debris from the collapse, with the 300-meter-long Dali being refloated and removed on May 20. The vessel, chartered by Maersk, had been stranded for nearly two months under the wreckage after losing electrical power and propulsion.
The restoration of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel is a significant milestone in the recovery efforts after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It has allowed for the resumption of maritime traffic into the Port of Baltimore, which plays a crucial role in the region’s economy. The incident was a tragic event that resulted in loss of life and disrupted the flow of goods into the port, but the swift action taken by authorities and salvage crews has helped to restore normal operations.
Moving forward, it will be important for authorities to investigate the cause of the collapse and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The safety and security of the maritime infrastructure in and around the Port of Baltimore must be a top priority to ensure the continued smooth operation of the port. Despite the challenges faced in the wake of the collapse, the successful restoration of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel is a testament to the resilience and determination of the port community in overcoming adversity.
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