U.S. Bridges Vulnerable to Ship Collisions, Key Bridge Collapse Sparks Concern

The recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge highlights the vulnerability of many U.S. bridges to ship collisions, raising questions about the adequacy of existing protections.

A cargo ship collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland caused a significant collapse, underscoring the vulnerability of many U.S. bridges to such incidents.
Despite advancements in bridge protection since the 1980s, a majority of U.S. bridges allowing ship passage lack sufficient impact protection, including the recently collapsed Key Bridge.
The cleanup and recovery efforts for the Key Bridge collapse are extensive, involving a large flotilla and posing challenges in debris removal and economic impact on the Port of Baltimore.
The disaster has prompted discussions on the need for updated protections for older bridges and the potential financial and legal implications of such catastrophic events.
Engineers and officials are reevaluating bridge safety measures in light of modern cargo ships' sizes, which have significantly increased over the past two decades, posing new risks to bridge infrastructure.