U.S. Army Corps plans to reopen Port of Baltimore channel by end of May

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

Updated 6 hours ago


Engineers are aiming to restore Port of Baltimore access to normal capacity by the end of May following the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that forced the rerouting of container ships in the key shipping hub.

State of play: That's according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District statement Thursday night that noted first a "limited access channel 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep" to the port would open by the end of April ahead of reopening the permanent, 700-foot-wide by 50-foot-deep federal navigation channel.

"This channel would support one-way traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore for barge container service and some roll on/roll off vessels that move automobiles and farm equipment to and from the port," according to the statement on the first phase of the opening.

The big picture: Officials said six construction workers died when the bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River after a cargo ship struck the key piece of Maryland infrastructure on March 26.

What they're saying: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a Thursday night statement the Army Corps' tentative, "ambitious" timeline that's "dependent on a number of factors" was "critically important for those families that are still waiting to bring loved ones home and the thousands of Baltimoreans and Marylanders who rely on the Port."

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/04/05/baltimore-port-reopen-plan-us-army-corps

[mucifer]

1. Wow that's very impressive!

[BumRushDaShow]

2. The weather will be a factor

particularly since the Midatlantic area has been in a stormy pattern recently.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. As a thought exercise, imagine if the bridge collapse

happened during Donal John’s (Infrastructure Week) occupation of the White House. I dare say that the Port of Baltimore would still have been closed in February of 2021.

[honest.abe]

4. I assumed they would do whatever it takes to get that channel open.

Ton of money being lost every day its closed.

[getagrip_already]

5. Not surprised....

The Corp is very good at demolition and removal.

Especially in this case where there are no other structures, like a parallel bridge, they need to preserve.

There primary concern will be safety for the underwater crews. They will have multiple teams in the water with torches, saws, and rigging for hoists. They will also be placing charges in key spots.

There is a good chance they will beat those schedules. I'm sure they have wx delays and equipment breakdowns built in.

[OldBaldy1701E]

6. "...critically important for those families that are still waiting to bring loved ones home..."

"...and the thousands of Baltimoreans and Marylanders who rely on the Port."

Right. The loss of those sweet donations from those who are losing massive profits because they can't import all that stuff as fast as they were is just a small problem that is not too important.

(Do they really think that all of us believe this corporate goo that they are spewing?)

[iluvtennis]

7. Good stuff! n/t