Part of a collapsed bridge in Baltimore has been deliberately destroyed, clearing the way for an eventual full restoration of shipping on one of the nation’s busiest maritime routes.
On March 26, a ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse and six construction workers were killed.
Monday’s demolition work removed large sections of the collapsed bridge.
The surgery was postponed over the weekend due to bad weather.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship called the Dali, which lost power and veered off course.
The collision caused approximately 4,000 tons of debris to flow into the Patapsco River.
The 948-foot (289 m) ship has remained at the site since the accident, covered in scrap metal from the bridge. A total of 21 crew members, mostly Indians, are still on board the Dali maintaining the ship. Crew members took refuge on the ship when a controlled explosion occurred on Monday.
Authorities said the demolition work was proceeding as planned. This comes after the body of the sixth and final victim of the incident was found last week.
Shortly after 17:00 ET (21:00 GMT), a loud explosion was heard and pieces of the bridge fell into the water.
Officials said they used controlled explosions to make precise cuts in hopes of freeing the Dali and returning it to the Port of Baltimore.
The port, which handles a variety of cargo and is the country’s busiest car shipping port, was closed after the collapse, although some traffic has been restored through temporary pipelines. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the goal is to restore full production capacity by the end of May.
At a news conference earlier Monday, officials said they hoped to move the ship within two days.
“Once the precision cut is complete, we will go back and re-survey the channel and around Dali to make sure that the precision cut does not create obstructions that interfere with traffic,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath. “Then we will go back and re-survey the channel and around Dali at a specific time.” Reopen limited traffic access.”
Maryland authorities estimate rebuilding the bridge will cost up to $1.9bn (£1.5bn) and take more than four years.
Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the BBC last week that the closure of the channel had “definitely” affected the supply chain.
The FBI and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collapse.
The city of Baltimore has sued the vessel’s owner, Grace Ocean Private Limited, and its manager, Synergy Marine Private Limited, alleging gross negligence and reckless conduct. The companies have asked the court to limit their liability for the incident.
