Overview
- The NTSB voted to identify a loose signal wire caused by an improperly installed label as the probable cause of the Dali’s blackouts that preceded the March 2024 collision.
- NTSB staff detailed additional failures that hindered recovery, including backup systems not set for automatic restart, misuse of a flushing pump, and inadequate operator oversight, despite a timely crew response.
- Investigators said the Maryland Transportation Authority never conducted a vulnerability assessment and that weak pier protections and a lack of immediate warnings to work crews contributed to the loss of life.
- The board urged urgent vulnerability reviews for 68 similar bridges in 19 states, highlighting elevated risks for pre-1991 spans exposed to large vessel strikes.
- Maryland updated the Key Bridge rebuild to $4.3–$5.2 billion with traffic targeted for late 2030, citing new pier protection, a longer and higher design, federal resilience standards, and higher material costs.