Crews were assessing a controlled explosion in an effort to remove the cargo ship Dali from the damaged Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
The Dali has been stranded in Baltimore for 50 days since it lost power and collided with a column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in the collapse of the structure. WBAL-TV reported that Unified Command had prepared for almost a week to utilize a controlled demolition in an attempt to release the massive cargo vessel from beneath the bridge.
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On Monday evening, the demolition team attempted to dismantle a 500-foot span, which weighed around 600 tons and had collapsed onto the bow of the container ship. The plan was to ensure that the remaining sections of the bridge would fall off the ship and into the river during the explosion.
After Monday’s detonation, a significant portion of the bridge slipped into the river. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Estee Pinchasin mentioned that a crane will be used to remove the remaining pieces.
According to Gov. Wes Moore, the plans to reopen a permanent channel in the waterway by the end are still on track.
U.S. Coast Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath explained that once the precision cutting is completed, they will conduct a resurvey of the channel and the area surrounding the Dali to ensure there are no obstructions that may hinder traffic. Only after confirming the absence of any impediments will the limited-access channel be reopened for traffic.
Coast Guard Captain David O’Connell described Monday’s detonation as a significant milestone in the ongoing recovery efforts.
