Baltimore, Maryland – Crews are set to proceed on Sunday with a plan to use small explosives to break apart a massive section of the Baltimore bridge that collapsed onto a cargo ship six weeks ago. The controlled demolition, originally scheduled for Saturday, was delayed due to adverse weather conditions, according to the US Coast Guard.
The planned demolition aims to help officials remove debris and free the 213-million-pound Dali cargo ship, which struck a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after veering off course on March 26, causing the bridge to collapse. The incident resulted in the deaths of six construction workers and disrupted a vital route, posing a threat to the economy at the Port of Baltimore.
After recovering the final body last week, officials are now able to move forward with the plan to free the Dali. Success in the operation over the weekend could mean the ship may be refloated and returned to the Port of Baltimore as early as the upcoming week, reported by local sources.
“The safest and quickest way to remove the bridge piece from on top of the M/V Dali is through precision cuts using small charges,” stated the Key Bridge Response Unified Command in a recent press release. This controlled demolition method is standard in the industry and will facilitate the process of refloating the vessel and removing it from the federal channel.
According to information from the US Army and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the demolition process will involve multiple puffs of smoke and sound like fireworks. Nearby communities will receive cellular notifications in advance to minimize any disruptions.
Amid ongoing investigations into the cause of the collapse and attributing responsibility, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure plans to hold a hearing to address the catastrophe. Testimony is expected from various officials, including the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, Coast Guard representatives, Army Corps of Engineers members, and the US Department of Transportation.
As authorities work towards resolving the aftermath of the bridge collapse, the community remains hopeful for a successful operation to free the trapped cargo ship and reopen the Port of Baltimore to maritime traffic.