The Francis Scott Key Bridge, an iconic structure in Baltimore, spanned the Patapsco River and served as a vital component of the Baltimore Beltway (Interstate 695 or I-695). Informally known as the Key Bridge or Beltway Bridge, it connected Dundalk and Hawkins Point. Its history, rooted in the need for increased harbor crossings, was tragically cut short on March 26, 2024, when the container ship Dali struck one of its piers, resulting in the bridge's collapse. The collapse not only halted shipping traffic but also claimed the lives of six construction workers who were performing maintenance at the time.
Origins and Planning
The need for a second harbor crossing in Baltimore became apparent by the early 1960s. The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (Interstate 895), the first crossing of Baltimore's Harbor, had reached its traffic capacity, causing heavy congestion and delays. The Maryland State Roads Commission, recognizing the urgency, began planning another crossing downstream and to the southeast between Hawkins Point and Sollers Point in the outer harbor. Initially, a single-tube tunnel under the Patapsco River was conceived as the Outer Harbor crossing, but this plan proved too costly.
In April 1971, the Maryland General Assembly approved the bridge project, paving the way for construction. The United States Coast Guard issued a bridge permit in June 1972, replacing the earlier approval of the tunnel by the Army Corps of Engineers. The bridge, originally known as the Outer Harbor Crossing, was designed by the Baltimore engineering firm J. E. Greiner Company, who served as the primary engineering consultant.
Construction and Design
Construction of the Outer Harbor Bridge began in 1972, several years behind schedule and $33 million over budget. The construction was to be performed by the John F. Beasley Construction Company of Dallas, Texas. The project cost an estimated $110 million and took five years to complete. The bridge was funded entirely by Maryland Transportation Authority toll bonds, costing $60.3 million.
The bridge's main piers, Nos. 17 and 18, were each protected by dolphins upstream and downstream, each with a 25-foot-diameter sheet pile filled with tremie concrete with a reinforced concrete cap. The steel cantilever arch structure was built by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Steel Corp.
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The bridge opened with four lanes, but its approaches were two lanes to reduce costs; the south approach was widened in 1983. The bridge was part of the E-ZPass system, and its toll plaza included two dedicated E-ZPass lanes in each direction. In July 2013, the toll for cars was $4.
Opening and Functionality
The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened on March 23, 1977, completing the Baltimore Beltway (Interstate 695). It became the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore's Harbor, the others being the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels, all requiring tolls for passage. The bridge carried an estimated 11.5 million vehicles annually, including trucks carrying hazardous materials prohibited in the tunnels. The steel bridge allowed for more traffic lanes than the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and has lower operating and maintenance costs.
The bridge's location holds historical significance. Scholars believe it stood within 100 yards of the site where Francis Scott Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in September 1814 during the War of 1812. This event inspired Key to write "The Defense of Fort M’Henry," which later became the U.S. national anthem.
The 2024 Collapse
On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge suffered a catastrophic failure when the container ship Dali struck one of its piers. The collision caused the main span to collapse, resulting in the loss of lives and the disruption of maritime traffic. Members of an eight-person maintenance crew working on the bridge are believed to be the only people injured or killed in the disaster. The collapse, which blocked the Patapsco shipping channel, immediately halted almost all passenger and cargo shipping to the Port of Baltimore. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency. Economic losses were initially estimated at $15 million per day.
The collapsed part of the bridge includes the three spans under the metal truss, and three more to the northeast in Dundalk, Maryland.
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Aftermath and Future
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has had a significant impact on the region. Recovery efforts are underway, with crews working to remove the wreckage and reopen the main shipping channel. In August, the Maryland Transportation Authority awarded a contract to Kiewit Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska, to rebuild the bridge. Governor Wes Moore unveiled the design concept for the new Bridge, offering a fresh vision for one of Baltimore’s most iconic transportation landmarks.
President Biden has pledged federal support for the reconstruction of the bridge, emphasizing the importance of reopening the port and rebuilding the bridge. Maryland officials have released a timeline and cost estimate for rebuilding the bridge, signaling a commitment to restoring this vital transportation link. Preconstruction activities are set to begin in January 2025.
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