Maryland officials ignored vulnerability assessment, leading to deadly bridge collapse

In March 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland collapsed after a cargo ship struck one of its support piers, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident and found that the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) did not carry out a crucial vulnerability assessment that could have identified the bridge's significant risk of collapse. This assessment was recommended by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and had been advised since 1991, following the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse. In 2009, the recommendation was reiterated, emphasizing the necessity for bridge owners to perform such assessments to ensure public safety. The failure to assess the bridge was particularly concerning because the Key Bridge was built before 1994, a timeframe after which new bridges were mandated to have measures in place to prevent catastrophic collapse from collisions. Maryland officials were criticized for their negligence, especially as they were aware of the risk but did not execute the necessary preventive measures. The MDTA maintained that the accident was solely the fault of the cargo ship and its operators, raising questions about accountability and oversight. Moreover, the report pointed out that the MDTA had not only failed the Key Bridge but also had not assessed the vulnerability of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, despite the immediate necessity following the disaster. Federal officials expressed frustration over the MDTA's lack of proactive risk management for essential infrastructure. The NTSB Chair, Jennifer Homendy, highlighted the urgent need for action to address bridge safety and protect public welfare, asserting that they had been sounding alarms since the tragedy happened. The situation further complicates as the collapse halted ship traffic through the Port of Baltimore and poses the risk of becoming one of the costliest maritime disasters in history. Following the incident, plans for a new Baltimore bridge have emerged, aiming for completion by 2028 at an estimated cost of $1.7 billion. The MDTA's refusal to accept responsibility had led to an increased call for stringent evaluations of bridges to guarantee safety, as the consequences of their inaction linger. Homendy's statements underlined the critical nature of public safety and how further incidents could be averted with proper assessments, urging Maryland officials to prioritize infrastructure evaluations moving forward.