The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has announced a delay in the full reopening of the federal navigation channel at the Port of Baltimore, now expected between June 8-10, 2024. This adjustment follows a container ship accident on March 26, 2024, that resulted in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Originally, USACE had set a tentative timeline for reopening the port with a limited-access channel by the end of April, followed by the complete reopening of the federal navigation channel by the end of May. While the limited-access channel was opened and expanded on May 24 to allow the transit of all deep-draft commercial vessels, the final phase of reopening has been postponed due to complexities encountered in clearing the bridge wreckage from the riverbed.
Colonel Estee Pinchasin, Baltimore District commander at USACE, detailed the challenges, noting, “We are pushing forward as quickly and safely as possible to reach 700 feet and ensure we remove all wreckage to prevent any impact to future navigation. Only about one-third of this truss is visible above the water as it stretches down to the riverbed and sits buried in the mud line. Based on the latest dive surveys and engineer analyses conducted after precision cutting and refloating the Dali [container ship], the work to restore the Federal Channel is projected to conclude between June 8-10.”
The delay accounts for the complexity of the cutting and rigging required to lift portions of the collapsed bridge, along with necessary safety measures and potential weather disruptions that could impact salvage operations.
On May 28, US President Joe Biden met with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the Army Corps of Engineers Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, and Deputy Commandant for Operations of the United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Pete Gautier. The meeting, held for an operational update on the federal and state response to the bridge collapse, underscored the administration’s commitment to supporting Baltimore throughout the recovery process. The discussions also focused on providing continued support for impacted workers, small business owners, and families of the victims.
This meeting is part of a series of regular consultations to ensure close coordination between the federal government and the state of Maryland as they respond to the incident, support affected communities, and plan the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
