BALTIMORE, Maryland — In a significant step towards reopening the port’s busy shipping channel, crews conducted a controlled demolition of the largest remaining steel span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The demolition, which took place Monday evening, involved explosives that quickly brought down the span into the water, releasing a cloud of black smoke.
The collapse, which occurred on March 26, left the Dali container ship stranded after losing power and crashing into one of the bridge’s supporting columns. Since then, the ship has been stationary among the wreckage. With the removal of the ship, maritime traffic can start returning to normal, offering relief to longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners impacted by the closure.
The cleanup efforts have involved the removal of thousands of tons of steel from the Patapsco River, with no reported injuries during the clearing of debris from the bridge and the cargo ship. Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized safety as a top priority during a news conference on Monday.
The use of explosives in the controlled demolition was noted to be similar to those employed in the demolition of the Harry Nice Bridge last year. The hydraulic grabbers will now work to lift the broken sections of steel onto barges to free the Dali container ship and guide it back into the Port of Baltimore.
As the cleanup and recovery efforts continue, officials aim to fully reopen the port’s shipping channel by the end of the month, ensuring the resumption of normal maritime operations. The progress made in breaking down the steel span marks a crucial milestone in the overall cleanup of the collapsed bridge.