Key Bridge cleanup continues piece by piece

Four weeks after the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge, Gov. Wes Moore has announced that a temporary 35-foot channel will be opening this week allowing access to the Port of Baltimore.

“This is an important milestone,” Moore said. “But I also want to be clear — this is not the goal. This is a step on the journey but it’s not the destination.”

Speaking at a news conference at the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Headquarters in Dundalk, Moore said that over 2,900 tons of wreckage have been removed. So far, 145 commercial vessels have moved through the temporary channels.

Ships will be required to have a Maryland pilot on board and two tugboats escorting them through the channel.

By the end of this week, four temporary channels are expected to be open, allowing several commercial vessels that have been stuck in the port for weeks to leave. Then, the Coast Guard will shut down vessel traffic in the channel for about 10 days to continue salvage efforts.

“As part of removing the Dali, and continuing to work as fast as possible, and safely, we’re going to suspend vessel transit through that new channel for roughly 10 days or so. That will allow us to safely conduct the rigging we need to do on that large piece of bridge that’s still on board the bow of the Dali,” said Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath.

Officials emphasized safety as they undertake the monumental task of moving the collapsed bridge. So far, there have not been any significant incidents or injuries on the job, according to Army Corps of Engineers Col. Estee Pinchasin.

As they continue to clear the debris, crews are still looking for the bodies of two of the construction workers killed when the bridge fell. So far, four of the victims have been recovered: Maynor Suazo Sandoval, Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Carlos Daniel Hernandez. Workers Jose Lopez and Miguel Luna are still missing.

“I also want to echo what Governor Moore and Admiral Gilreath mentioned about always remembering the families,” Pinchasin said.

The bridge collapse has also had a tremendous impact on local businesses and workers. At the news conference, Moore announced two state new programs to help those affected.

The Department of Commerce’s Port of Baltimore Emergency Business Assistance Program will provide a total of $15 million in grants to businesses that have had operations impacted or shipments disrupted at the Port of Baltimore, Moore said.

“This program offers a critical lifeline to the many businesses that have either experienced a loss of revenue or increased costs to their operations,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “Together with our fellow state, local and federal partners, our focus remains on ensuring these businesses have the resources and support needed to navigate through this challenging time.”

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Neighborhood BusinessWorks small business grant program will provide businesses with grants of up to $50,000, and the no-interest loan program offers loans of up to $500,000.

“We also are stepping up in ways that are unprecedented, in terms of resources for our people,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “If you are in need, please reach out. It doesn’t matter if you are a Baltimore City resident or a Baltimore County resident, or an Anne Arundel County resident, or from anywhere else. You’re a Marylander, and you’re one of ours, and we will meet the need together.”