Baltimore, Maryland – The Dali container ship has been marooned in Baltimore for over six weeks after a tragic collision with the Francis Scott Key bridge. The ship, which lost power, careened into one of the bridge’s supports, causing it to collapse and claiming the lives of six workers. Now, engineers are devising a plan to demolish the remnants of the bridge to facilitate the re-floating of the ship and its return to port.
Salvage workers at the site of the collapsed bridge are preparing for a controlled explosion to remove the section of the bridge that is currently lodged on the bow of the Dali ship. This intricate process, known as “precision cutting,” will involve splitting the bridge into smaller, more manageable pieces using carefully placed small charges. The operation demands meticulous handling of roadbed material, crushed containers, and bridge fragments on the vessel.
To execute the controlled demolition, explosives experts from the U.S. Army have been summoned to assist the workers on site. The Corps of Engineers will strategically place charges along the collapsed section of the bridge to ensure a safe and efficient dismantling process. This crucial task aims to clear the bow of the Dali ship from thousands of tons of steel and roadway debris.
Residents in the vicinity of the work zone have been advised to stay away as a precautionary measure. A 2,000-foot safety zone has been established, requiring anyone within its range to wear hearing protection during the demolition. Unified Command is taking focused efforts to inform and prepare individuals in the area for the impending event, including utilizing mobile notifications in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management.
Although the specific timing of the explosions remains undisclosed and dependent on favorable conditions, officials are hopeful of completing the bridge removal and ship re-floating by the week’s end. If successful, this operation would conclude nearly seven weeks since the Dali’s initial collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26th. The detailed and laborious process of removing the bridge debris is essential to ensuring the safe passage of the Dali back to port.