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NTSB Issues Urgent Warning on Bridge Safety Following Maryland Collapse
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) raised concerns during a press conference on Thursday, urging 30 owners of 68 bridges across 19 states to conduct assessments on their vulnerability to potential collapses resulting from ship collisions.
This warning comes in the wake of a serious incident involving the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. The NTSB pointed to the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) failure to conduct an adequate risk assessment, which may have contributed to the bridge’s catastrophic collapse.
On March 26, 2024, the cargo vessel Dali, registered under the Singapore flag, lost electrical power while navigating out of Baltimore Harbor. The vessel subsequently collided with the southern pier supporting the bridge’s central truss spans on the Patapsco River, resulting in the structure’s collapse. Tragically, six construction crew members lost their lives, and two others sustained injuries.
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NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the Francis Scott Key Bridge was approximately 30 times above the “acceptable risk threshold” established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for critical infrastructure.
The NTSB emphasized that while the bridges in question are not guaranteed to fail, the MDTA could have proactively addressed vulnerabilities had they conducted a recent assessment based on maritime traffic data. Such information would likely have prompted necessary safety measures to prevent a tragedy.
“We’ve been raising alarms on this issue since the incident happened,” stated Homendy. “Immediate action is essential for public safety.”
In the following days, the NTSB identified 68 bridges, constructed prior to the establishment of AASHTO guidelines, that currently lack updated vulnerability assessments.
The NTSB is urging these bridge owners to determine if their structures exceed AASHTO’s acceptable risk levels and to develop comprehensive risk mitigation plans if necessary. AASHTO first introduced guidelines for assessing vulnerability in its published framework in 1991, following the investigation into the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster in Florida.
In 2009, AASHTO reiterated its call for all bridge owners to evaluate their existing structures for potential collapse risks stemming from ship collisions, a recommendation that reflects ongoing concerns about infrastructure safety.
Following the guidelines established in 1994, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) mandated new bridge designs to minimize risks of catastrophic failure from vessel strikes, taking into account the increasing size and speed of marine traffic.
The NTSB is advocating for collaboration among the FHWA, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to form an “interdisciplinary team.” This team would assist bridge owners in effectively evaluating and mitigating risks associated with their structures.
Potential mitigation strategies may include infrastructure enhancements or operational adjustments aimed at improving safety levels.
As part of its investigation, the NTSB plans to release over 1,000 pages of findings, including reports and interview transcripts regarding the bridge collapse.
In the coming week, additional reports will detail factors related to hazardous materials, meteorological conditions, and the impact of increasing vessel sizes on safety risks.
While the MDTA has not yet responded to requests for comment, the broader implications of bridge safety as it relates to maritime traffic are now under intense scrutiny, highlighting a pressing need for thorough and proactive assessments across the nation’s critical infrastructure.
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