The planned demolition of a key portion of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge is scheduled to commence on Monday after being postponed due to inclement weather, including lightning, over the weekend. The operation, involving the use of small explosives to break apart a massive chunk of the Baltimore bridge that collapsed on a cargo ship nearly seven weeks ago, was initially planned for Saturday but was rescheduled for 5 p.m. Monday by the Coast Guard.
The purpose of the demolition is to assist in removing debris and freeing the 213-million-pound Dali cargo ship, which collided with a pillar of the bridge on March 26, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of six construction workers, disrupted a vital transportation route, and posed a threat to the economy at the Port of Baltimore.
The upcoming demolition precedes a Wednesday hearing by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where officials from various agencies will provide testimony regarding the incident. Safety remains a top priority, with the Coast Guard emphasizing that no compromises will be made in the interest of expediency.
The 21 crew members of the Dali, who have been onboard since the collision, will remain on the vessel during the demolition operation. Despite the challenging circumstances, they continue to fulfill their duties and are provided with a safe shelter on the ship during the controlled explosion.
Following the recovery of the final victim last week, authorities are optimistic that the ship can be refloated and returned to the port promptly after the successful completion of the demolition process. Precision cuts using small charges are planned to break the bridge piece into smaller sections, facilitating the vessel's removal from the channel.
Community notifications will be issued before the demolition, which is expected to resemble fireworks in appearance and sound. Concerns for the crew's well-being persist among Baltimore's maritime community, as efforts are made to address their communication needs and alleviate their anxieties during this challenging period.
