The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has stated that it is currently too early to determine when the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge will be removed from the Patapsco River, allowing marine traffic to resume flowing into the Port of Baltimore. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has indicated that the Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, has been assigned the task of cleaning up the area as part of a comprehensive rebuilding process that is expected to be lengthy, challenging, and costly.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mentioned that providing timeline estimates for channel clearance and reopening is premature at this stage. The primary focus remains on supporting the recovery efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as state and local partners. The Baltimore District of the Army Corps of Engineers has activated its emergency operations center, mobilizing over 1,100 specialists in engineering, construction, contracting, and operations to assist various agencies involved in responding to the bridge collapse.
The Army Corps of Engineers has committed to offering underwater assessment capabilities, structural engineering support, including certified bridge safety inspectors and urban search and rescue structural technical specialists, and the removal of debris in the waterway that could impede navigation. Following the discovery of a submerged red pickup truck, divers recovered two bodies from the river, while four construction workers remain missing and are presumed deceased.
Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland Butler has indicated a transition from a recovery mode to a salvage operation due to the challenging conditions around the wreckage, hindering safe navigation for divers. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has acknowledged uncertainties regarding the total costs and timeline for the recovery efforts but emphasized the determination to overcome the challenges together. Governor Moore expressed confidence in the community's resilience and commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind during the recovery process.
