The sea route to the port of Baltimore fully reopened Monday night, allowing full-capacity cargo traffic into the port for the first time since the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck and collapsed in March.
The bridge was struck by a large central support pillar by a large cargo ship, throwing the entire structure into the Patapsco River and killing six road workers. The Army Corps of Engineers and other recovery teams have worked for months to remove about 50,000 tons of debris from the water so that crucial commerce can fully resume.
“Once again, Baltimore has been counted down,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) told the Washington Post. “And once again, Baltimore proved the world wrong.”
Workers moved quickly to partially reopen the canal, moving smaller ships in and out of the port within days of the bridge disaster through newly dug shallow channels. Full recovery also occurred more quickly than expected, in about three months instead of the anticipated six.
Authorities said a total of 56 federal, state and local agencies participated in the salvage operations, including about 500 experts from around the world who operated a fleet of 18 barges, 22 tugboats, 13 floating cranes, 10 excavators and four boats. search.
“I cannot overstate how proud I am of our team,” said Col. Estee Pinchasin, Baltimore district commander of the Army Corps of Engineers. “It was incredible to see so many people from different parts of our government, from across our country and around the world, come together as Unified Command and accomplish so much in this period of time.”
The Port of Baltimore was the busiest on the East Coast for automobile shipments before the bridge collapse, as well as a crucial terminal for coal and agricultural equipment. With the wreckage removed and the ship that collapsed the bridge floated to port, effectively no evidence of the disaster remains except for the missing bridge deck itself.
The collapse of the bridge was found broad support for federal and state assistance. President Biden has committed federal funds to rebuild the bridge, which carries Interstate 495 through the city. Maryland highway officials hope to have the new span open by 2028.
The Associated Press contributed.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
