U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Fully Restore Baltimore's Fort McHenry Federal Channel

Wreckage — Image Credits: USACE Baltimore

The Fort McHenry Federal Channel has been reopened completely following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.

The reopening follows a massive cleanup operation by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, who worked tirelessly to remove nearly 50,000 tons of steel and concrete wreckage from the Patapsco River.

The bridge collapsed when a container ship lost power and struck with one of its supporting columns, killing six road construction workers.

The tragic incident occurred while the victims, all immigrants from Latin America, were working overnight to repair potholes on the bridge.

The Port of Baltimore, a crucial hub for processing cars and farm equipment, was closed for several weeks while crews worked to reconstruct segments of the deep-craft channel.

However, the fully reopened channel, restored to its previous depth and width of 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep, represents a return to normalcy for maritime traffic in the port.

The reopening of the main channel was a collaborative effort involving 56 federal, state, and local authorities and 500 specialists from across the world.

The operation was overseen by the Unified command, which included 18 barges, 10 excavators, 13 floating cranes, 4 survey boats, and 22 tugboats.

Fort McHenry Federal Channel — Image Credits: USACE Baltimore

Colonel Estee Pinchasin, the Baltimore District commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers, expressed immense pride in the team’s accomplishments and sympathised with the affected victims’ families.

The refloating of the cargo ship M/V Dali on May 20, 2024, was a significant milestone in the operation.

With the entire federal shipping channel now open, two-way traffic may resume, and additional safety regulations have been relaxed, bringing significant relief to thousands of people whose livelihoods rely on port operations.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the electrical issues that the Dali had before its journey.

The FBI is also conducting a criminal investigation into the incidents surrounding the collapse.

Officials remain optimistic about the future, with plans to reconstruct the Key Bridge by 2028.

Reference: USACE Baltimore

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