Canal to bypass bridge debris in Baltimore opens
Following the spectacular collapse of a highway bridge in Baltimore, US, a week ago, ships can now pass through the crash site again. In the statement made by the authorities responsible for the cleaning works late on Monday evening (local time), it was stated that the temporarily opened canal cannot… A canal has been opened to bypass the collapse of a highway bridge in Baltimore, US, following a week ago, allowing ships to pass through the crash site again. Currently, the temporarily opened canal cannot be used by large ships and is only open to ships performing cleaning and rescue work. The first ship carrying a fuel cargo cargo ship was the first ship to enter the bypass canal. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said a second canal could be opened in the coming days. The disaster occurred when a container ship crashed into the bridge pier, killing six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Cleaning efforts began on Sunday and the first piece of the bridge, weighing 200 tons, was lifted. US President Joe Biden is set to visit the site on Friday.
Published : a month ago by Amelia in World
Following the spectacular collapse of a highway bridge in Baltimore, US, a week ago, ships can now pass through the crash site again. In the statement made by the authorities responsible for the cleaning works late on Monday evening (local time), it was stated that the temporarily opened canal cannot be used by large ships. For now, it is only open to ships performing cleaning and rescue work.
According to officials, the barge carrying the fuel cargo ship was the first ship to pass through the bypass canal. The fuel on the freighter was destined for aircraft arriving from nearby U.S. Air Force Base Dover in Delaware state.
Coast guard spokesperson Carmen Caver said that efforts are continuing to gradually open the 3.40 meter deep and 80 meter wide canal to other ships. However, the schedule for this project has not been determined yet.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said at a press conference that a second canal that would bypass the crash site could be opened “in the coming days.” Until the accident, Baltimore was one of the busiest ports in the United States.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River collapsed on Tuesday last week when a container ship crashed into the bridge pier. Authorities believe six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of the collapse died. However, not all victims have been rescued yet.
According to Moore, the rescue operation was extremely difficult. The governor said the water at the crash site was so murky and full of debris that “divers couldn’t see more than three feet.”
Cleaning efforts also started on Sunday. Workers lifted the first piece of the bridge, weighing 200 tons. The stricken container ship is still wrecked. US President Joe Biden will visit the crash site on Friday, the White House announced on Monday.