By Dean Murray via SWNS
Ten weeks after the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, salvage crews have successfully removed the final large steel truss segment blocking the 700-foot-wide Fort McHenry Federal Channel.
Using concrete breakers, underwater surveys, and oxyacetylene torches, they separated tons of concrete roadway, cable, and steel rebar from “Section 4C” while removing debris with clamshell dredges.
On May 20, Unified Command cleared the Federal Channel to a width of 400 feet and a depth of 50 feet, allowing deep-draft commercial vessels to access the Port of Baltimore. Full restoration is projected by 8-10 June.
The expanse collapsed on March 26 when the container ship MV Dali struck one of its piers.
A new design for the collapsed Baltimore bridge was proposed by Italian design firm Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA).
It would feature a wider span and improved clearance height to minimize the chance of collision.
