Second March 30th Update from Key Bridge Response Unified Command

Crest of the City of Baltimore

Brandon M. Scott
Mayor,
Baltimore City
250 City Hall - Baltimore Maryland 21202
(410) 396-3835 - Fax: (410) 576-9425

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

BALTIMORE, MD (Saturday, March 30, 2024) – Today, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s office is providing this second update to our media list and subscribers on behalf of the Key Bridge Response Unified Command led by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, and Maryland State Police.

Numerous state and local agencies, including the Baltimore Mayor’s Office and Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management, are coordinating closely with Unified Command.

 All media inquiries for Unified Command should be directed to keybridgejic@gmail.com.

UPDATE 2 Multimedia Release: Unified Command commenced bridge wreckage removal for Key Bridge Response 2024

Saturday, March 30, 2024

BALTIMORE – The Unified Command commenced cutting operations Saturday to remove wreckage from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Highly trained demolition crews are cutting the top portion of the north side of the collapsed bridge truss. Two crane barges, a 650-ton crane and a 330-ton crane, are actively working on scene. The removed wreckage is scheduled to be lifted and transferred to a barge this evening as daylight allows. A 230-ton land-based crane will offload and process the wreckage at Tradepoint Atlantic and will then be taken to a disposal site.

The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command includes the:
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Maryland Department of the Environment
Maryland Transportation Authority
Witt O’Brien’s representing Synergy Marine
Maryland State Police

A website with incident response information can be found at the following URL: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com

The media is requested to call the Joint Information Center at 410-631-8939 for interview response inquiries and interviews.

Resources are available for businesses and individuals impacted by the Port closure:
Benefit Line for Port of Baltimore Workers: +1 (667) 930 5989
Disaster Loan Assistance: https://lending.sba.gov
Debris Reporting Hotline: +1 (410) 205-6625

The Unified Command’s operational priorities are ensuring the safety of the public and first responders, accountability of missing persons, safely restoring transportation infrastructure and commerce, protecting the environment, and supporting the investigation. 

In addition to the photos below, video is available on the website: keybridgeresponse2024.com. 

Coast Guard boat next to wreckage of bridge

A Coast Guard Station Crisfield 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew observes as highly trained demolition crews cut the top portion of the north side of the collapsed bridge into smaller sections for safe removal by crane in the Patapsco River, in Baltimore, Maryland, March 30, 2024. Salvage teams used an exothermic cutting torch to systematically separate sections of the steel bridge, which will be taken to a disposal site. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly Reaves)

Wreckage of bridge

Salvage operations on the Francis Scott Key Bridge commenced March 30, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. Salvage teams use an exothermic cutting torch to systematically separate sections of the steel bridge, which will be taken to a disposal site. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly Reaves)

Bridge girder being torched

Highly trained demolition crews began cutting the top portion of the north side of the collapsed bridge into smaller sections for safe removal by crane in the Patapsco River, in Baltimore, Maryland, March 30, 2024. Salvage teams use exothermic cutting torch to systematically separate sections of the steel bridge, which will be taken to a disposal site. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly Reaves)

Related Stories

Mayor Scott Statement on Jury Verdict in City's Lawsuit Against Opioid Distributors

Mayor Brandon M. Scott released a statement on the jury's verdict against McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, finding them liable in Baltimore's opioid epidemic and awarding the City of Baltimore more than $266 million in damages.

 

City of Baltimore Releases Independent Review Findings on DPW Heat Safety Practices

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Khalil Zaied, Director of the Department of Public Works ("DPW"), released the findings of an independent review conducted by Conn Maciel Carey LLP ("CMC"), a Washington, D.C.-based law firm, which was tasked with evaluating the heat safety policies, practices and operations of DPW's Bureau of Solid Waste.

 

Mayor Scott, MOCFS Announce Expansion of Baltimore City Rental Assistance Program

Mayor Brandon M. Scott is announcing an expansion of Baltimore City's Rental Assistance Program by reopening the Rental Assistance Portal effective today, Monday, October 21, 2024.