Baltimore bridge collapses into river after being hit by cargo ship
A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed after a large boat collided with it early on Tuesday morning, sending multiple vehicles into the water.
At about 1.30am, a vessel crashed into the bridge, catching fire before sinking and causing multiple vehicles to fall into the water below, according to a video posted on X.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.
Matthew West, a petty officer first class for the coastguard in Baltimore, told the New York Times that the coastguard received a report of an impact at 1.27am ET. West said the Dali, a 948ft (29 metres) Singapore-flagged cargo ship, had hit the bridge, which is part of Interstate 695.
I had to find a map, yeah, this is going to be a major cluster fuck in the morning. It's possible to route around it, but the next crossing is aways away:
Hazmats are prohibited in both tunnels. About the only option for those is to go all the way around 695, adding the better part of 50 miles.
I wonder how quickly one can get a RORO ferry up and running? That bridge isn't gonna be rebuilt any time soon.
Even the largest ferry can’t come close to matching the capacity of a 4 lane highway bridge.
No doubt. I don't mean to suggest that it'd eliminate issues.
Wow really? I totally can't believe that /s
No joke, and I bet it was heavily used too... Better jump on those infrastructure dollars!
Its not the same thing at all but they got the I-35W bridge rebuilt in 13 months after the bridge collapsed into the Mississippi. Its only 1/2 mile long and the river span is of course tiny -- no supports required in water.