Port of Baltimore back open for business after Key Bridge collapse as officials celebrate milestone

BALTIMORE — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other leaders Wednesday to celebrate the full reopening of the Port of Baltimore nearly three months after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Now that the Patapsco River’s main federal waterway is back to full size, marine traffic can return in full force to and from the port.

The focus now turns to rebuilding the bridge.

“The Port of Baltimore is reopened for business,” Moore said.

The full-width Ft. McHenry Canal reopened Monday at 50 feet deep and 700 feet wide, allowing two-way passage for all ships to and from one of the nation’s largest port facilities.

More than 50,000 tons of bridge debris was removed from the river and taken to Sparrows Point in the southeastern part of Baltimore County.

Rescuers spent the final days before the reopening of the federal canal sweeping the wreckage site with sonar, LIDAR and magnetometer to identify and investigate any high points and ensure there was no residual danger to navigation.

Port leadership said it would be some time before full marine traffic returned, however, they noted that certain types, such as roll-on/roll-off cargo, were returning to the levels they were at before the collapse.

“This moment has been conquered”

Unions representing port workers expressed gratitude for the partnerships that helped keep those affected by the port closure employed and paid.

“The governor made a commitment to me and the men and women of the International Longshoremen’s Association that he would take care of us,” said Scott Cowan, president of ILA Local 333. “Sir, your word is good.”

Moore noted that partnerships have been instrumental in getting to this point, not only to clean up the Key Bridge debris, but also to care for the families of the six construction workers killed in bridge collapse and help thousands of port workers who might otherwise have lost pay.

“The Ft. McHenry Canal is completely clear and the Port of Baltimore is reopened for business,” Moore said. “While this moment is historic, it was not given. This moment has been earned and we are here this afternoon to recognize the people who brought us to this moment.”

Buttigieg said the federal response was made possible “in large part through the work of the White House Supply Chain Disruption Task Force, as well as the lessons we’ve learned over the past few years, especially with COVID.”

“We have to move”

The Maryland Transportation Administration is accepting bids through June 24 to build a new Key Bridge.

MDOT Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said hundreds of companies around the world have expressed interest in rebuilding the bridge, which is expected to cost between $1.7 and $1.9 billion.

The White House has promised to fully fund it, while Maryland’s congressional delegation is working to get the Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act, which would allow full federal funding for reconstruction, passed, or at least secure funding through an amendment in another bill. .

“We need to move,” Moore said. “We know we have to do this on time, on budget and at speed. That is the importance of passing the Baltimore BRIDGE Act.”

Moore is also confident that pending legal battles and insurance claims will help with the costs of a new bridge.

The goal is to build a new bridge by fall 2028.

“We will continue to work with President Biden,” Moore said. “We will continue to work with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and make this vision a reality. That’s the momentum. That’s the promise. And we haven’t broken our promises. We’re going to get it done.”