Temporary Waterway Created for Cleanup Efforts Following Baltimore Bridge Collapse
A temporary alternate channel has been opened into the port of Baltimore to assist in the clean-up operation following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The structure collapsed into the water last Tuesday after being struck by the Dali, a 300m (985ft) cargo ship that had lost power.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated that the temporary channel to the northeast side of the collapsed bridge would facilitate more vessels entering the area near the collapse site.
He mentioned that recovery teams were also working on opening a second temporary channel.
Civic officials noted that the temporary channel would be accessible only to vessels contributing to the clean-up effort, although plans were underway to gradually resume commercial shipping to and from the port of Baltimore.
In related news, the White House declared that Joe Biden would visit the city on Friday.
The US president is scheduled to meet with state and local leaders, including Governor Moore, and survey the damage area, as confirmed by White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
Pic: NTSB via AP
Latest aerial footage of Baltimore bridge collapse shows the start of the wreckage removal
Pic: Reuters
Baltimore ranks as the ninth-largest port in the US based on overall trade volumes.
Concerns have emerged about the impact on the city’s economy due to the ongoing hindrance of marine traffic in and out of the main ports following the bridge collapse into the Patapsco River.
Railway company CSX announced the initiation of a new freight rail service between Baltimore and New York for its clients on Tuesday to bypass the closure of the Port of Baltimore, as reported by CNBC.
Six construction workers, who were present on the bridge during the collapse, are presumed to have perished. Two bodies have been recovered so far.
The quest for the remaining four workers, believed dead, has been paused due to the challenges posed by the bridge debris.
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On Saturday, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath mentioned that experts were working on breaking the bridge into appropriately sized pieces for lifting.
Meanwhile, Maryland’s Secretary of Transportation Paul J Wiedefeld stated that his department was preparing for the bridge’s reconstruction and exploring innovative design, engineering, and building methods to expedite the project delivery.
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The White House has approved $60m (£48m) in immediate aid, and Mr Biden has pledged that the federal government will cover the full cost of rebuilding the road bridge, which was completed in 1977 and carried 30,000 vehicles a day.
The cargo ship, managed by Synergy Marine Group, was en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka during the incident.
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Baltimore bridge collapse: Clear up continues
It is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd and was chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk.
Synergy expressed regret over the incident and its impact on Baltimore and the region’s economy dependent on the crucial port.
The company has committed to cooperating with the investigation.
Grace Ocean Private Ltd and Synergy jointly filed a legal petition on Monday to limit their liability under an 1851 maritime law provision, seeking to cap liability at aproximately $43.6m (£35m).
Credit rating agency Morningstar DBRS anticipates total insured losses from the Baltimore disaster to range from $2bn (£1.6bn) to $4bn (£3.2bn).
