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68 U.S. Bridges Flagged for Risk After Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Nearly a year after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday that 68 bridges across 19 states could be at risk if struck by a ship — and their owners need to assess that risk now. What’s Related The recommendation is part of the NTSB’s ongoing investigation […]

Nearly a year after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday that 68 bridges across 19 states could be at risk if struck by a ship — and their owners need to assess that risk now.

What’s Related

The recommendation is part of the NTSB’s ongoing investigation into the deadly March 2024 collapse. The Key Bridge came down after a massive cargo ship, the Dali, lost power and slammed into one of its supports. Six construction workers were killed.

“Had they ran the calculation on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the MDTA would have been aware that the bridge was almost 30 times greater than the risk threshold AASHTO sets for critical, essential bridges — 30 times greater,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said.

That calculation comes from guidance created in 1991 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) following a similar collapse in Florida. However, many older bridges, including the Key Bridge, were built before those rules were in place and never assessed.

 

The list of 68 bridges includes major crossings like the Golden Gate Bridge, George Washington Bridge, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Sunshine Skyway, and the Mackinac Bridge. The NTSB isn’t saying these bridges are definitely going to fail. But they are telling bridge owners to run the numbers and, if needed, come up with a plan to reduce the risk.

“A risk level above the acceptable threshold doesn’t mean a collapse from a vessel collision is an absolute certainty,” Homendy said. “What we are telling bridge owners is that they need to know the risk and determine what actions they need to take to ensure safety.”

The NTSB also wants the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and Army Corps of Engineers to collaborate and help owners fix potential problems—whether that means changing how ships move through the area or strengthening the bridges themselves.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the Key Bridge collapse is still ongoing. Nearly a year later, eight members of the Dali’s crew, including senior officers, are still in Baltimore. No one has been charged yet, but federal and local investigations continue.

In October, the Dali’s Singapore-based owner and manager reached a $102 million settlement with the U.S. Justice Department. Prosecutors said the crash could have been avoided, blaming poor ship maintenance and dangerous workarounds for known electrical issues. Baltimore and several families of the victims are also taking legal action.

 

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