Crews are set to conduct a controlled demolition Monday evening to dismantle the largest remaining steel span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. This marks a significant step in the cleanup efforts as officials aim to fully reopen the port’s busy shipping channel by the end of the month.
Engineers have been meticulously preparing for weeks to utilize explosives to break down the span, which measures approximately 500 feet long and weighs up to 600 tons. The span landed on the ship’s bow after the vessel lost power and collided with one of the bridge’s support columns shortly after departing the Port of Baltimore. Subsequently, the ship has been immobilized amidst the debris, leading to the closure of the port to most maritime traffic.
The demolition was postponed on Sunday due to thunderstorms, emphasizing safety as the top priority in this operation, according to Governor Wes Moore.
Engineers are employing precision cuts to control how the trusses break down, ensuring they fall away from the ship when explosives are detonated, sending them into the water. Following the demolition, hydraulic grabbers will lift the broken steel sections onto barges.
Once the Dali is refloated and guided back into the port, maritime traffic can gradually resume, providing relief for numerous longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners impacted by the port closure.
The crew of the Dali will remain below deck during the detonation of explosives, with containers on the ship’s decks serving as additional protection. Fire teams will be on standby in the vicinity, and a 'water curtain' will shield the ship and its cargo from potential flames.
The Dali is scheduled to be refloated during high tide on Tuesday, with tugboats guiding it to a nearby terminal at the port. The crew, predominantly from India with one member from Sri Lanka, has been on board since the collapse on March 26.
The salvage crews and other cleanup operation members have been commended for their efforts in recovering the remains of the six construction workers who lost their lives in the collapse. The last body was retrieved from the underwater wreckage last week.
Officials are optimistic about reopening the port’s 50-foot deep draft channel by the end of May, with a temporary shallower channel currently in place. The port, which typically handles a significant volume of cars and farm equipment, has seen 365 commercial vessels pass through in recent weeks.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Baltimore native, likened the Key Bridge disaster to the historic bombardment of Fort McHenry, emphasizing Maryland’s resilience. Pelosi praised the collective response to the tragedy, highlighting the swift and safe collaboration among various government agencies.
