Nearly three weeks after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed due to a collision with a cargo ship, salvage crews are working diligently to remove the wreckage using the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard. The heaviest section of the bridge weighed about 450 tons, and workers at the salvage yard are using propane torches and giant shears to disassemble the metal trusses. The goal is to recover the two remaining bodies of construction workers who tragically lost their lives in the collapse on March 26. In addition to this, crews are working to open a temporary channel later in the month to allow commercial traffic to resume through the Port of Baltimore, which has been largely closed since the collapse.
The Key Bridge, which took five years to construct in the 1970s, has now become a race against time to dismantle the remnants of a fallen Baltimore landmark. Over 1,000 tons of steel have already been removed from the waterway, but the work is described as tedious, dangerous, and highly complex. A visit to the salvage yard at Tradepoint Atlantic revealed the challenges faced by the salvage crews, including surveying the murky underwater wreckage and strategically planning the extraction of various parts. The facility has ramped up operations to accommodate some of the ships that were originally scheduled to dock at other terminals in the Port of Baltimore.
Although progress is being made in removing the debris from the collapsed bridge, the work remains difficult due to the hazardous conditions and unknown dangers lurking beneath the water. Divers are tasked with assessing the wreckage and coming up with a safe plan for extraction. Robyn Bianchi, an assistant salvage master on the project, emphasized the need for a methodical and cautious approach due to the presence of debris, rebar, and concrete in the water. Additionally, efforts are being made to remove containers from the cargo ship Dali before lifting the steel spans off its bow and refloating the vessel.
The salvage operation at the Key Bridge collapse site is a collaborative effort involving multiple teams working together to ensure the safe removal of debris and the recovery of the remaining bodies. The Chesapeake 1000, a floating crane with a storied history, is playing a crucial role in dismantling the wreckage. Picking up the pace, crews are aiming to open a temporary channel to allow more commercial traffic through the Port of Baltimore later this month. The Port’s main channel is expected to reopen by the end of May, allowing operations to gradually return to normal.
As the salvage efforts continue, officials are focused on the goal of safely removing all remnants of the collapsed bridge, reopening the Port of Baltimore to commercial traffic, and honoring the memory of the construction workers who lost their lives in the tragic incident. The complex and dangerous nature of the operation requires careful planning, coordination, and execution to ensure the successful completion of the project. While challenges remain, the dedicated efforts of the salvage crews and their unwavering commitment to the task at hand are driving the progress towards restoring normalcy to the affected area.
