Bridge Collapse: Federal Officials Urge Risk Assessments Nationwide

Federal officials are calling for immediate risk assessments for numerous bridges spanning 19 states. This comes in the wake of the unfortunate collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore nearly a year ago. The collapse, which occurred on March 26, 2024, resulted in the tragic loss of six construction workers' lives and posed significant challenges for three months as the cargo ship, the Dali, was removed from the water after striking a bridge pillar.

The Importance of Risk Assessments

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman, Jennifer Homendy, emphasized the critical nature of conducting vulnerability assessments for essential bridges. The board cited the Maryland Transportation Authority's (MDTA) failure to perform such an evaluation for the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which, according to AASHTO's standards, was found to have a risk level nearly 30 times greater than the accepted threshold for essential bridges.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) established these assessment standards in 1991, following the collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida. Despite the repeated recommendations to conduct risk assessments, the MDTA has yet to perform this evaluation, not only on the Francis Scott Key Bridge but also on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and numerous other bridges across the country

The Impact of the Collapse

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has raised concerns about the vulnerability of other bridges, with 68 bridges across the country identified as having an unknown risk level. The NTSB emphasized that the lack of risk assessment does not imply an imminent collapse but serves as a crucial indicator for ensuring safe travel.

In response to the collapse, Maryland officials unveiled plans for a new Baltimore bridge last month. The proposed designs aim to construct a bridge that stands taller than its predecessor, with an estimated cost of $1.7 billion, expected to complete by 2028.

Federal Officials Call for Immediate Action

Federal safety officials have been raising the alarm since the tragedy occurred, urging immediate action to address the risk assessment shortcomings. Public safety is at stake, and it is imperative that bridge owners and authorities prioritize these assessments to ensure the safety of travelers.

The lack of response from the Maryland Transportation Authority regarding the proposed changes and assessments has further fueled the urgency for swift action. Johhny Chen, a transport safety expert, expressed concerns about the potential consequences of neglecting these risk assessments. "The safety of thousands of commuters relies on proactive measures to mitigate potential risks associated with these bridges," said Chen.