In the wake of the recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, CBS News has revealed a startling fact: the majority of bridges in the United States lack any form of impact protection. This troubling discovery has raised concerns about the safety of bridges across the country, particularly those built in the 1970s that do not meet current codes requiring increased protection.
According to the National Bridge Inventory, only 36% of bridges in the U.S. with ship navigation have functional pier protection. This lack of safeguards was tragically highlighted by the Key Bridge collapse, which has prompted calls for immediate action to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In response to the Baltimore incident, Delaware has announced plans to invest $95 million in installing up-to-date protections on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Structural engineers have also weighed in, suggesting that protective systems could have lessened the impact of the Key Bridge collision.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the structure of the Key Bridge, as data shows that thousands of U.S. bridges are deemed “fracture critical.” This classification means that if one key component fails, the entire structure is at risk of collapsing.
The question now on everyone’s minds is whether the latest disaster will prompt the federal government to require updated protections for older bridges. As concerns about bridge safety continue to mount, it is clear that action must be taken to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of all those who rely on these critical pieces of infrastructure. Stay tuned to Matzav Blog for further updates on this developing story.
