Provisional timeline unveiled for reopening Baltimore port channel

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has revealed a tentative schedule for reopening of the main channel into the Port of Baltimore.

The activities to clear the Fort McHenry Channel, which has been brought to a standstill following the tragic Key Bridge collapse, are anticipated to see significant progress by the end of April, with plans to open a passage measuring 280 feet (80 meters) in width and 35 feet (10.6 meters) in depth.

“This channel would support one-way traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore for barge container service and some roll on/roll off vessels that move automobiles and farm equipment to and from the port,” USACE said.

Moreover, the Corps aims to fully reopen the permanent channel—measuring 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep—by the end of May, restoring port access to normal capacity.

Presently, vessel traffic remains halted, while trucks continue to be processed at the port’s terminals.

“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.”

With that in mind, Spellmon cautioned that the ambitious timelines might be impacted by adverse weather or unexpected changes in the complexity of the wreckage.

Crews are working around the clock to open up the main channel in Baltimore’s harbor. Take a look at some of the efforts happening right now. #KeyBridgeNews pic.twitter.com/mZzHihUVKx

— MDTransportationDept (@MDOTNews) April 3, 2024

The response operations to the bridge collapse, led by the Unified Command, has been faced with adverse weather conditions over the past couple of days.

Efforts are underway to carry out routine salvage assessments and divers are conducting underwater surveys to map out plans for the future wreck removal.

Furthermore, the divers are also assessing any damage sustained by the vessel and are working on pinpointing the exact locations where it is grounded, which is crucial for mitigating potential risks and ensuring the safe recovery of the vessel.

The Unified Command said that water sampling results taken from upriver and downstream of the site found no fuel constituents or volatile organic compounds. The results will be used as a baseline for comparison with water quality monitoring done throughout response, recovery and reconstruction. Sampling will continue indefinitely every few days.

Cargo destined for the Port of Baltimore continues to be rerouted to the neighboring ports.

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