Army Corps of Engineers races to reopen the channel closed by Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

While the investigation into why the industrial accident happened when part of the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed in March after the Singapore-flagged MV Dali cargo ship ran into one of the support pylons due to the ship losing power, the Army Corps of Engineers has already leaped into action to clear the wreckage from the Patapsco River.

"Thanks to the exhaustive work of the unified command during the last two weeks, including underwater surveys and detailed structural analysis of the wreckage, we’ve developed a better understanding of the immense and complex work that lies ahead," explained Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon the Army Corps of Engineers commanding general. "A fully opened federal channel remains our primary goal, and we will carry out this work with care and precision, with safety as our chief priority."

Having conducted a hydrographical survey of the wreckage above and below water, the Corps of Engineers hopes to have a 280-foot-wide limited access channel open within a month, which would reopen access to the Baltimore Harbor. The end goal is to reopen a 700-foot-wide federal navigation channel which would restore full access to the harbor.

"These are ambitious timelines that may still be impacted by significant adverse weather conditions or changes in the complexity of the wreckage," Spellmon said , as they hope to restore full access by the end of May. "We are working quickly and safely to clear the channel and restore full service at this port that is so vital to the nation. At the same time, we continue to keep faith with the families of the missing and are working with our partners to help locate and recover their loved ones."