In the aftermath of the catastrophic collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, recovery efforts are underway, with an unusual method of demolition planned and a promise of federal funding for reconstruction. The bridge, a significant part of the Baltimore skyline, was severely damaged when a massive container ship, the Dali, collided with it, causing a large section of the bridge to collapse onto the ship and pin it to the bottom of the Patapsco River.
Residents of Dundalk Avenue, overlooking the Port of Baltimore, were shocked by the sight of the missing bridge. "I was up and I just heard this great big noise and rumbling sound," said Frank Wolfe, a Dundalk resident. The crash occurred in the early hours of the morning, and the magnitude of the incident only became clear to locals as dawn broke.
In a novel approach to the recovery operation, Unified Command, the team overseeing the operation, plans to use precision explosives to free the Dali from the wreckage of the bridge. The explosives will be used to remove a large portion of the bridge's truss that fell onto the ship during the collapse. The crew of the Dali will remain on board during the detonation, deemed safe by Unified Command.
The use of explosives is considered a best practice in such situations, according to Governor Wes Moore. "We know that as soon as that operation, that precision cutting is done, then we also have the tools to be able to remove that steel from the water, to safely refloat the Dali, and to reopen up the federal channel," Moore said.
The decision to use explosives is reminiscent of the demolition of the historic Gov. Harry W. Nice Bridge in March 2023. The operation will be a controlled one, with a limited blast radius, and the pieces of the bridge are expected to collapse straight down, minimizing the risk of further damage.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has pledged federal support for the reconstruction of the bridge. "It is my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort," Biden said. The president also emphasized the need to respond to the emergency and rebuild the port together.
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