Baltimore's Key Bridge demolished after tragic collapse, aims for May restoration
Part of the collapsed bridge in Baltimore, United States, was deliberately destroyed on Monday, paving the way for a potential complete restoration of navigation on one of the busiest maritime routes in the US.
On 26 March, a ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to its collapse and the tragic loss of six construction workers. An explosion was conducted to restore full navigation potentially. The bridge spanned one of the busiest maritime routes in the US.
As the BBC emphasizes, the demolition operation of the collapsed structure was planned for the weekend but was delayed due to poor weather conditions.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by the cargo ship Dali. The ship lost power and veered off course, resulting in approximately 4,000 tonnes of debris falling into the Patapsco River. 21 crew members are still working on board the Dali. They were involved in the ship’s maintenance and took shelter on board the vessel during Monday's controlled explosion.
The port, which handles various goods and is the busiest in the country for car transport, was closed following the accident. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has announced its intention to restore total efficiency by the end of May.
Nearly 50 years of the bridge
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, commonly known as the Key Bridge, is an iconic landmark in Baltimore. The arch bridge, which opened in 1977, was a significant engineering project to improve connections between areas east and west of Patapsco Bay.
The viaduct was named in honour of Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and poet who wrote the words to the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". Key is buried in Baltimore, highlighting his connection with the city.
