A large section of the fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was demolished Monday after several weather delays.
With a series of controlled explosions, a mega splash and a wall of water, the section of bridge that had been resting atop the container ship Dali since the vessel slammed into and destroyed the span six weeks ago came down in pieces.
It was the largest remaining chunk of the historic bridge that was destroyed March 26 when the Dali lost power and slammed into a support pillar, collapsing and destroying the bridge. Six construction workers died, and most maritime traffic has been halted since.
Explosive charges are detonated to bring down sections of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge resting on the container ship Dali on Monday in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)Next, the trusses that remain on the bow will be assessed, as will underwater wreckage to make sure nothing stands in the way of re-floating and moving the ship.
By the end of the month, a 50-foot-deep, 700-foot-wide channel will once again be available to vessels, a huge step toward “fully opening vessel traffic to the port,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference, according to NBC News. That will add to the alternate channels that have already been established, which have moved 365 commercial vessels over the past seven weeks, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.
The demolition went “according to plan,” said Coast Guard Capt. David O’Connell.
“This was a very big milestone for our progression forward,” said Col. Estee Pinchasin, Baltimore District Commander for the Army Corps of Engineers.
The demolition had originally been planned for last week, but nearby lightning strikes and rising tides forced its postponement to Monday.
With News Wire Services
