Port of Baltimore expected to partially reopen by end of April
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revealed a tentative time frame to reopen the Port of Baltimore by the end of April following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
USACE said that after collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to clear the port, a “limited access channel 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep” within the next four weeks. The channel will support one-way traffic in and out of the port.
“Thanks to the exhaustive work of the Unified Command during the last two weeks, including underwater surveys and detailed structural analysis of the wreckage, we’ve developed a better understanding of the immense and complex work that lies ahead,” said Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE commanding general. “A fully opened federal channel remains our primary goal, and we will carry out this work with care and precision, with safety as our chief priority.”
Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) said the operation was “complicated,” but the work needed to be done to “clear the channel and fully reopen vessel traffic to the Port of Baltimore.” More than 15,000 jobs are directly tied to the Port of Baltimore, with an additional 140,000 jobs being indirectly tied.
“As we learned this evening, this ambitious timeline proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers offers a level of clarity and certainty that Baltimore needs to hear so we can collectively plan for continued recovery efforts – related to both our economy and our infrastructure,” Moore said in a statement.
The Army Corps of Engineers aims to reopen the port in its entirety by the end of May. The permanent port is 700 feet wide by 50 feet deep.
Spellmon said the time frame is “ambitious” and could be delayed due to weather or changes in the complexity of the ship wreckage.
“These are ambitious timelines that may still be impacted by significant adverse weather conditions or changes in the complexity of the wreckage,” Spellmon added. “We are working quickly and safely to clear the channel and restore full service at this port that is so vital to the nation. At the same time, we continue to keep faith with the families of the missing and are working with our partners to help locate and recover their loved ones.”
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President Joe Biden is expected to visit Baltimore on Friday.
“This work is complex. But by standing united, working together, and moving in partnership, we will continue to prove the full meaning of Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong,” Moore said.
