Explosion opens path to repair key U.S. maritime route after Bridge collapse
Part of the collapsed bridge in Baltimore in the United States was deliberately destroyed on Monday, paving the way for a potential complete restoration of navigation on one of the busiest maritime routes in the country.
On March 26, a ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and resulting in the death of six construction workers.
An explosion was possibly conducted to restore full navigation. The bridge spanned one of the busiest maritime routes in the country.
As the BBC emphasizes, the demolition operation of the collapsed structure was supposed to take place over the weekend, but poor weather conditions delayed plans.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by the cargo ship Dali, which lost power and drifted off course. As a result of the collision, approximately 4,000 tons of debris fell into the Patapsco River.
21 crew members, mostly Indians, are still working on board Dali and are involved in the ship’s maintenance. The crew took shelter on board the vessel during Monday's controlled explosion.
The port, which handles various goods and is the busiest in the country regarding car transport, was closed after the accident. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has announced its intention to restore full functionality by the end of May.
Nearly 50 years of the bridge
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, commonly known as the Key Bridge, is one of Baltimore's most iconic points. The arch bridge opened in 1977 and was a significant engineering project aimed at facilitating communication between areas located east and west of Patapsco Bay.
The viaduct was named in honour of Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and poet who wrote the words to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Key is buried in Baltimore; hence, the bridge's name commemorates his connection to the city.
