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March 28, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapse
By Antoinette Radford, Maureen Chowdhury, Tori B. Powell, Elise Hammond and Aditi Sangal, CNN
Updated 12:00 a.m. ET, March 29, 2024
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Here's what we learned from the authorities this evening
From CNN staff
The federal government has given Maryland officials the $60 million requested to cover the first steps of responding to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a Federal Highway Administration news release.
Federal Highway Administration chief Shailen Bhatt said the emergency funding would go toward removing debris, rerouting traffic and ultimately rebuilding the bridge.
Here's what else the authorities said in a news briefing this evening:
- Four directives to recovery: Gov. Wes Moore outlined four main priorities as Maryland looks to recover after the bridge collapse. The directives include: Continued focus on efforts to recover the construction workers presumed dead "to bring a sense of closure to these families," open the channel and restart traffic to the port, taking care of those affected, rebuilding the Key Bridge.
- Murky water conditions: Moore said the "water is so dark, and debris is so dense, that in most instances our divers cannot see more than a foot or two in front of them."
- Major resources mobilized: The Army Corps of Engineers is moving the largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard to Baltimore to help clear the channel, and it is expect to arrive later on Thursday evening, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. Clearing the channel has been an important goal so trade and traffic through the port can resume. The Army Corps of Engineers plan to cover the full cost of clearing the channel where Baltimore's Key Bridge collapsed, Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Thursday.
- One larger vehicle detected underwater: There's at least one vehicle of a large size that has been detected underwater, and it is encapsulated by the superstructure of the bridge, concrete and other things, according to Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., the superintendent of Maryland State Police.
- Monitoring possible leaks and pollution: Over 2,400 feet of boom have been deployed to contain any leaks of pollution in the aftermath of the collapse of the Key Bridge, Moore said. Separately, 14 containers on the ship were impacted, and they contained items like soap and perfume, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said, adding that he did not have information on whether any of those materials went overboard. Air monitors are in place to track any potential threats and they have not picked up any threats so far, Gilreath said.
There's at least 1 larger vehicle underwater, official says
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
There's at least one vehicle of a large size that has been detected underwater, according to Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., the superintendent of Maryland State Police.
"There's at least one vehicle, larger in size, that is completely encapsulated by the superstructure of the bridge, concrete," among other things, Butler said Thursday evening.
"It's going to take some time to get to that, and it's going to take some time to do that carefully" before divers can go to recover that vehicle, he added.
2,400 feet of boom was used to contain possible toxic materials, Maryland governor says
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
There have been over 2,400 feet of boom deployed to contain any leaks of pollution in the aftermath of the collapse of the Key Bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday.
He said he personally did not see any sheen on the water when he went to assess the situation on site.
Remember: 56 containers with hazardous materials were found on the vessel.
There are 14 containers on the ship were impacted, and they contained items like soap and perfume, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said at the briefing, adding that he did not have information on whether any of those materials went overboard.
Air monitors are in place to track any potential threats and they have not picked up any threats so far, Gilreath added.
Baltimore mayor says he remains hopeful bodies of other workers will be recovered
From CNN's Elise Hammond
Baltimore's mayor said he is still "hopeful" the bodies of the other workers presumed dead will be recovered.
Authorities announced on Wednesday they were pausing search and recovery efforts for the four other workers presumed dead because debris made it unsafe for divers to continue. Once this next phase of salvage operations is complete and the debris is cleared, divers will search for more remains.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said that during the salvage operation, he hopes "we are able to recover those who remain missing and bring them home to their families.
The mayor said he directed his administration to work with the governor’s office “on any and every effort that must be taken.”
Army Corps of Engineers will bear the full cost of clearing the channel, Sen. Chris Van Hollen says
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
The Army Corps of Engineers will cover the full cost of clearing the channel where Baltimore's Key Bridge collapsed, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Thursday.
"We all recognize that getting the Port of Baltimore running again at full speed is a priority given all the jobs that are associated with it, all the small businesses, all the other businesses," Sen. Van Hollen said at Thursday's news briefing. "And as the governor pointed out, this is not just a Maryland issue, it's a national and global question."
The largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard is expected to arrive in Baltimore later today, governor says
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
The Army Corps of Engineers is moving the largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard to Baltimore to help clear the channel, and it is expected to arrive Thursday evening, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.
"Under the leadership of Col. (Estee S.) Pinchasin, the Army Corps is moving the largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard to Baltimore to help us," Moore said at a news conference. "It is estimated that will arrive later this evening."
"It's a 1,000-ton crane coming around midnight," Sen. Chris Van Hollen said at the same news conference. "And another 400-ton crane coming Saturday for the operations to clear the channel."
The post was updated with information about the crane from Sen. Van Hollen.
Officials are assessing pieces of the bridge before they pull them out of the water, Coast Guard says
From CNN's Elise Hammond
Officials working to remove the collapsed Key Bridge from the channel are conducting a full assessment of all pieces of debris before they can lift them out of the water, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath.
This assessment is critical in figuring out how to cut the bridge into the right size pieces so cranes can lift them out, he said.
“We are doing those assessments right now with underwater surveys, with engineering teams back in unified command,” Gilreath said, adding that the assessment is in coordination with several other partners, including the US Army Corp of Engineers.
“That is our number one priority is to reopen the Port of Baltimore as fast as we can, and do it safely,” he added.
Murky conditions are hindering divers' vision during underwater operations, Maryland governor says
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
Water conditions are hindering divers' visibility as they conduct recovery operations, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday.
"That water is so dark, and debris is so dense, that in most instances our divers cannot see more than a foot or two in front of them," Moore said at a news briefing. "So much of the operation is simply feel."