BALTIMORE, MD News (6/10/2024) – In a significant achievement for maritime transit through the Port of Baltimore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving successfully restored the Fort McHenry Federal Channel to its original dimensions. This restoration follows the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and ensures the channel is once again 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep.
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The extensive operation commenced on March 26, with efforts focused on clearing the wreckage of the Key Bridge and relocating the M/V Dali from the Federal Channel. By June 10, after thorough surveying, the Unified Command certified the riverbed as safe for transit, following the removal of debris at the 50-foot mud-line. Ongoing removal of steel below this line will ensure future dredging operations are unhindered.
The pivotal movement of the M/V Dali on May 20 allowed the Limited Access Channel to expand to 400 feet on May 21. This temporary measure enabled all deep-draft commercial vessels to transit through the port, a critical step toward resuming full operational capacity. The fully restored channel now permits two-way traffic, eliminating the need for additional safety protocols that had been implemented due to the reduced width.
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“We are proud of the unified efforts that fully reopened the Federal Channel to port operations,” said Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, commanding general of USACE. “The partnerships that endured through this response made this pivotal mission successful.”
The restoration process involved the removal of approximately 50,000 tons of bridge wreckage from the Patapsco River. The Unified Command, composed of six agencies, spearheaded the response alongside 56 federal, state, and local agencies, represented by 1,587 responders. Furthermore, around 500 specialists globally operated a fleet of 18 barges, 22 tugboats, 13 floating cranes, 10 excavators, and four survey boats. Subject matter experts from across the U.S. also contributed essential technical knowledge.
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“We’ve cleared the Fort McHenry Federal Channel for safe transit. USACE will maintain this critical waterway as we have for the last 107 years,” stated Col. Estee Pinchasin, Baltimore District commander. “I cannot overstate how proud I am of our team. It was incredible seeing so many people from different parts of our government, from around our country and all over the world, come together in the Unified Command and accomplish so much in this amount of time.”
The wreckage is being transported to Sparrows Point for further processing. Routine maintenance will continue in the channel to ensure future dredging operations remain unaffected.
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“Although the overarching goal to restore full operational capacity to the Federal Channel was successful, each day, we thought of those who lost their lives, their families, and the workers impacted by this tragic event,” added Col. Pinchasin. “Not a day went by that we didn’t think about all of them, and that kept us going.”
Key Milestones in the Unified Command’s Response:
- March 30: Commencement of bridge wreckage removal
- April 2: Opening of the first Temporary Alternate Channel for shallow-draft vessels
- April 7: Beginning of container removal from M/V Dali
- April 25: Opening of Limited Access Channel to a width of 300 feet and depth of 35 feet
- May 9: Recreational vessels permitted through Key Bridge Response Safety Zone
- May 13: Controlled demolition of Section 4, which had trapped the M/V Dali
- May 20: Refloating and relocation of M/V Dali, clearing Federal Channel to 400 feet width and 50 feet depth
- June 4: Removal of the last major piece of steel truss from the Federal Channel
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The Unified Command prioritized public and responder safety, accountability of missing persons, environmental protection, incident stabilization, restoration of transportation infrastructure and commerce, and support for the ongoing investigation.
The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command included the U.S. Coast Guard, USACE, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, Witt O’Brien’s representing Synergy Marine, and Maryland State Police.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors.
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