- Written by Rachel Looker & Mike Wendling
- bbc news
A portion of a collapsed bridge in Baltimore has been intentionally destroyed, paving the way for the eventual full return of shipping through one of the nation’s busiest shipping lanes.
On March 26, a ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the bridge to collapse and killing six construction workers.
Demolition work on Monday shattered parts of the collapsed bridge.
Weekend service was delayed due to bad weather.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after colliding with the cargo ship Dali, which lost power and went off course.
The collision sent approximately 4,000 tons of debris into the Patapsco River.
The 948-foot (289-meter) ship has been abandoned at the site since the accident, covered in metal debris from the bridge. A total of 21 crew members, mostly Indians, are still on board the Dali, maintaining the ship. The crew was evacuated on board during a controlled explosion on Monday.
Officials said the demolition proceeded as planned. It happened after the body of the sixth and final victim in the incident was recovered last week.
A loud explosion was heard just after 5pm Eastern Time (9pm Japan time), and pieces of the bridge fell into the water.
Officials said they used a controlled explosion to perform a precision cut in hopes of freeing the Dali as it heads back to the Port of Baltimore.
The port, which handles a wide range of goods and is the country’s busiest for transporting cars, was closed after the collapse, but some shipments have resumed through temporary routes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it aims to restore full capability by the end of May.
Officials said at a news conference early Monday that they hope to move the ship within two days.
“After performing the precision cutting, we will return to the strait and survey the area around Dali to ensure that there are no obstacles that could impede traffic due to the precision cutting,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath. “We then reopen the channel to traffic that had limited access at that particular time.”
Maryland authorities estimate that rebuilding the bridge could cost up to $1.9 billion (£1.5 billion) and take more than four years.
Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the BBC last week that the closure of the route was “certainly” having an impact on supply chains.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collapse.
The City of Baltimore sued the ship’s owner, Grace Ocean Private Limited, and its management company, Synergy Marine Private Limited, alleging gross negligence and recklessness. Both companies asked the court to limit their liability in the case.
