In the wake of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a massive salvage operation is currently in progress to reopen the Port of Baltimore.
Various Navy vessels, including a 1,000-ton lift capacity derrick barge, a 400-ton lift-capacity revolving crane barge, and a 160-ton revolving crane, have been deployed to assist in lifting debris from the water in a monumental effort.
Authorities have indicated that the portion of the bridge that has trapped the cargo ship dolly weighs between 3,000 and 4,000 tons. Therefore, the Army Corps of Engineers must first cut the debris into smaller pieces before they can begin clearing it from the water.
Reopening of the Port of Baltimore
Following the bridge collapse, all vessel traffic to and from the port was halted, although truck traffic has been allowed to continue. The timeline for clearing the 700-foot channel of the port from the massive amount of debris remains uncertain.
The Baltimore district of the corps has activated its Emergency Operations Center, enabling over 1,100 specialists in engineering, construction, contracting, and operations to provide assistance to local, state, and federal agencies.
"Speculation surrounds the reopening of the channel," stated the Port on Friday. "The timeline remains uncertain as we continue to collaborate closely with federal, state, and local partners to expedite the process."
Ranked as the ninth-busiest port in the U.S. based on Census figures, it facilitated over $80 billion in trade last year, marking a two-decade high. Additionally, major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian operate from this port.
With 15,300 direct jobs and 140,000 indirect jobs in the vicinity linked to port operations, the industry contributes $3.3 billion in personal income, as per a CBS News article.
"The immediate focus is on resuming operations at the Port of Baltimore, given its vital role in supporting the local, state, and national economies," remarked U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Emergency Legislation in the Works for Port of Baltimore Workers
Maryland lawmakers are currently in the process of drafting emergency legislation aimed at providing income replacement for thousands of Port of Baltimore workers who have been affected by a recent disruption.
Tragic Incident Leaves Four Missing, Presumed Dead
During the collapse, eight individuals who were part of a construction crew working on filling potholes were on the bridge. While two were successfully rescued and two bodies have been recovered, unfortunately, four individuals are still missing.
Among the victims, four have been identified:
- Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 35, originally from Honduras
- Miguel Luna, originally from El Salvador
- Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26, originally from Guatemala
- Jose Mynor Lopez, 35, originally from Guatemala
The bodies of Cabrera and Fuente were found in a submerged pickup truck. The search for additional bodies had to be paused on Wednesday due to the challenges divers faced in operating around the mangled bridge debris.
Federal Aid on the Way
Following the incident, Maryland is set to receive an initial $60 million in emergency funding from the federal government to aid in clearing the debris. The state had submitted a request for relief to cover costs associated with mobilization, operations, and debris recovery.
President Joe Biden has expressed his intention to advocate for the federal government to fund the entire reconstruction of the bridge. He has assured Maryland leaders of his commitment to working closely with them to offer as much support as possible during this difficult time.
"The federal government will cover the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge, and I am counting on Congress to back this initiative," stated Biden, emphasizing his plan to visit Baltimore at the earliest opportunity.
CBS News discovered that the initial $60 million estimate provided by Maryland represents just a small fraction, approximately 10%, of the total projected expenses for addressing the calamity. During a meeting of the Maryland Congressional delegation, it was discussed that the costs could surpass $1 billion, highlighting the urgent requirement for an emergency supplemental aid package from Congress.
