Controlled demolition at Baltimore bridge collapse site on track

BALTIMORE– Crews fired a network of interlocking explosives on Monday to breach the largest remaining span of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, and with a bang, the steel section collapsed into the water within seconds.

The explosives glowed orange and released clouds of black smoke as they detonated. The longer trusses toppled from the grounded Dali container ship and slid off the bow, sending a wall of water back toward the ship.

It marked a major step in freeing the ship, which had been trapped in the wreckage since it lost power and collided with one of the bridge’s support columns shortly after leaving Baltimore on March 26. resting on her deck for the past six weeks.

The collapse killed six construction workers and halted most shipping traffic through the busy port of Baltimore. The controlled demolition will allow the Dali to be refloated and restore traffic through the port as the cleanup enters its final phase.

Once the ship is removed, maritime traffic could begin to return to normal, which will provide relief to thousands of dockworkers, truck drivers and small business owners who saw their jobs impacted by the closure.

Authorities previously said the Dali’s 21-member crew would shelter aboard the ship while the explosives were detonated.

In a video graphic released this week, authorities said engineers were using precision cuts to control the way the trusses disintegrate. They said the method allows for “surgical precision” and is one of the safest and most efficient ways to remove steel under high stress.

The next step is for hydraulic grabs to lift the resulting steel sections onto the barges.

Dali’s crew have not been allowed to leave the stranded vessel since the disaster. Authorities said they are busy maintaining the ship and assisting investigators. Of the crew, 20 are from India and one is from Sri Lanka.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI are conducting investigations into the bridge collapse.

Danish shipping giant Maersk chartered the Dali for a planned voyage from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, but the ship didn’t go very far. Her crew sent a distress call saying she had lost power and had no control of the steering system. Minutes later, the ship crashed into the bridge.

Officials said the safety board’s investigation will focus on the ship’s electrical system.