Federal officials are emphasizing the importance of conducting risk assessments for dozens of bridges in 19 states after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore almost a year ago. The bridge fell apart in March 2024 after being struck by a cargo ship, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the Maryland Transportation Authority failed to perform a recommended vulnerability assessment for the bridge, which could have identified the high level of risk prior to the collapse. AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, has recommended bridge owners to run risk assessments since 1991, following the collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida. The Francis Scott Key Bridge was built before 1994 when new bridges were required to be constructed to minimize the risk of catastrophic collapse from collisions. The NTSB stated that conducting the recommended calculations could have allowed the Maryland Transportation Authority to proactively reduce the danger of bridge collapse.
As of October, the Maryland Transportation Authority has also failed to conduct the assessment on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Federal safety officials have identified 68 bridges with unknown risk levels nationwide and are urging owners to conduct assessments promptly to ensure safe travel. Plans for a new Baltimore bridge have been unveiled, with an estimated cost of $1.7 billion and a completion date of 2028. The NTSB emphasized the importance of taking action to address potential risks and ensure public safety.
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