Salvage and recovery efforts at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore reached a significant milestone as a new deep-water channel opened on Thursday morning. The completion of this channel allowed the first ship, a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel, to pass by the bridge wreckage en route from the Port of Baltimore to Canada. This development signals progress in restoring normal maritime operations following the tragic collapse on March 26th.
Crews involved in the salvage operation are now focused on reopening the main shipping channel, with a target timeline to achieve this goal by the end of May. The successful opening of the new deep-water channel provides a vital pathway for vessels to navigate safely through the affected area, ensuring minimal disruption to maritime traffic and trade activities.
In tandem with the infrastructure recovery efforts, Maryland is stepping up its support for businesses impacted by the bridge collapse. The state has introduced two new economic relief programs aimed at providing financial assistance to affected businesses. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is offering grants of up to $50,000, while another program provides no-interest loans of up to half a million dollars. These programs, totaling $15 million in grants and loans, target businesses with 500 or fewer employees that have suffered revenue losses or increased costs due to the bridge collapse.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown recently toured the wreckage site, reaffirming the state’s commitment to holding accountable all responsible parties for the disaster. Brown emphasized that legal action will be pursued against those deemed liable for the collapse, emphasizing the importance of protecting Maryland’s interests and ensuring justice for the six construction workers who tragically lost their lives in the incident.
The combined efforts of salvage crews, economic relief programs, and legal actions underscore Maryland’s determination to overcome the challenges posed by the Key Bridge collapse and to support affected businesses and communities in their recovery journey.
