Salvage of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Section Completed

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Key Bridge demolition
2. Baltimore bridge removal

Contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers successfully removed a 156-tonne section of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, damaged by the boxship Dali in March. The recovery effort, which included the removal of a truss from Span 19, is nearing completion. Divers found a third victim, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, in the wreckage. Maryland Governor Wes Moore aims to resume shipping at the Port of Baltimore by the end of May. Rebuilding the Key Bridge will be a costly and lengthy process. The White House seeks full funding for a replacement, while legal actions may be taken to recover costs from the shipowner or operator.

Details of the Incident at Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore

Over the weekend, contractors working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers successfully removed a 156-tonne piece of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, marking a significant step towards completing the response efforts following the tragic collapse of the bridge’s one-piece truss. The collapse occurred after the boxship Dali collided with a pier on March 26, resulting in the loss of six lives and initiating a lengthy process to reopen the shipping channel.

Location and Cleanup Efforts

The section that was removed on Saturday was from Span 19, located outside of the main channel of the bridge. Skilled contractors carefully hoisted the massive piece onto a barge for transport to the nearby Tradepoint Atlantic terminal, where the scrapping work will take place. The cleanup process has been meticulous and thorough, with a focus on ensuring the safety of workers and the surrounding environment.

Recovery of Victims

Tragically, divers recovered a third body from the wreckage on Friday, bringing the total number of missing individuals to three. The victim was identified as Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 38, a member of the pothole-repair crew that was on the bridge deck at the time of the collision. His body was found inside a vehicle within the wreckage, and efforts are ongoing to locate any other missing persons.

Timeline for Resuming Shipping Operations

Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently confirmed a specific timeline for the full resumption of shipping in and out of the Port of Baltimore, aiming for the end of May. This ambitious goal demonstrates the dedication and hard work of all involved in the recovery and restoration efforts. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has also provided a forecast for the reopening of the shipping channel and fairway by the end of April and May, respectively.

Rebuilding and Recovery Efforts

While the immediate focus is on reopening the shipping lanes, the long-term process of rebuilding the Key Bridge will be extensive and costly. The White House has called for Congress to fully fund a replacement bridge, and discussions are underway regarding the allocation of costs between the shipowner or operator and state and federal governments. The aftermath of this tragic incident has highlighted the importance of infrastructure safety and preparedness.

As the cleanup and recovery efforts continue at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the resilience and determination of all involved serve as a testament to the strength of the community in the face of adversity.