Crews are set to move forward with a plan to use small explosives to break apart a massive chunk of the Baltimore bridge that collapsed on a cargo ship six weeks ago. The controlled demolition is tentatively scheduled for Sunday around 5 p.m., according to the US Coast Guard.
The demolition was originally planned for Saturday but was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. The goal of the demolition is to assist in removing debris and freeing the 213-million-pound Dali cargo ship, which collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, causing it to collapse into the water below. The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of six construction workers and disrupted a vital transportation route, posing a threat to the economy at the Port of Baltimore.
Last week, officials recovered the final body, enabling them to proceed with the plan to release the Dali. If successful, the ship could be refloated and returned to the port as early as this week.
The Key Bridge Response Unified Command stated that using small charges for precision cuts is the safest and most efficient method to remove the bridge piece from on top of the M/V Dali. This controlled demolition technique will break the span into smaller pieces, facilitating the process of refloating the vessel and clearing it from the federal channel.
According to the US Army and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the demolition process will involve multiple puffs of smoke and sound like fireworks. Nearby communities will receive cellular notifications in advance of the operation.
Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the disaster and assign responsibility. The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure is scheduled to hold a hearing on Wednesday to address the catastrophe, with testimony expected from key officials including the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, representatives from the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, and the US Department of Transportation.
