68 Bridges Nationwide Need Urgent Evaluation in Wake of Baltimore Bridge Collapse, Says NTSB

The NTSB largely blamed the state’s transportation agency, Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), for the deadly collapse in Baltimore.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Md., which collapsed after being struck by a container ship in March, is seen on April 5, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent safety recommendations to 30 owners of 68 bridges across 19 states to assess the vulnerability of a vessel collision.

The NTSB issued the warning as it provided more details about Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, nearly one year after it collapsed.

“We need action. Public safety depends on it,” NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy stated, stressing that bridge owners must know the risk and what actions to take to ensure safety.

Bridge owners must determine that the structures are above the acceptable level of risk set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

At the same briefing, the NTSB largely blamed the state’s transportation agency, Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), for the deadly collapse in Baltimore.

“Not only did the MDTA fail to conduct the vulnerability assessment on the Key bridge, they did not provide, nor were they able to provide, the NTSB with the data needed to conduct the assessment,” Homendy said during a media briefing on the incident.

This includes information on vessel traffic, vessel speeds, water depths, and bridge geometry. The NTSB said that it had to develop that data itself with the help of the Federal Highway Administration, according to Homendy.

On March 26, 2024, the Dali containership was leaving the Baltimore Harbor when it experienced a loss of electrical power and propulsion and struck the southern pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Six construction workers died as a result of the bridge collapse. It also impacted local businesses, affected commuters’ travel routes, and disrupted the supply chain.

Homendy said the MDTA would have realized that the bridge faced significant vulnerability if the state agency had taken the appropriate action.

“Had they ran the calculation on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the MDTA would’ve been aware that the bridge was almost 30 times greater than the risk threshold for critical essential bridges and almost 15 times greater for Pier 17, which the Dali struck, as well as Pier 18,” Homendy added.

Last month, Maryland officials unveiled the design for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge.

“With the backing of federal funding, we are moving full steam ahead with the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for the good of all Marylanders, the Port of Baltimore, and the many jobs here,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said in a statement. “We worked as Team Maryland to reach this major milestone, uniting to ensure our state has the resources it needs to move forward with a cost-effective and efficient reconstruction plan.

The state also confirmed that it continues to pursue the containership’s Singaporean owner and managing company for all of the damages caused by their negligence, including costs for reconstruction.

From NTD News