Follow image links to recent press releases from the Joint Information Center (JIC).
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UPDATE 36: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces full restoration of Baltimore's Fort McHenry Federal Channel -
UPDATE 35: Multimedia Release: Unified Command salvage crews continue work to fully restore the Fort McHenry Federal Channel -
UPDATE 34: Multimedia Release: Unified Command salvage crews successfully remove final steel truss blocking the Fort McHenry Federal Channel -
UPDATE 33: Photo Release: Unified Command continues to clear wreckage from the bottom of the Patapsco River -
UPDATE 32: Marine Safety Information Bulletin 049-24 - Key Bridge Fort Mchenry Limited Access Channel -
UPDATE 31: Multimedia Release: Unified Command releases time lapse of M/V Dali refloat, relocating -
UPDATE 30: Key Bridge Response Unified Command Moves Dali, Restores use of Federal Channel -
UPDATE 29: Photo Release: M/V Dali refloated, moved away from Key Bridge -
UPDATE 28: Unified Command announces plan for refloating, transit of M/V Dali -
UPDATE 27: Photo Release: Unified Command continues preparations for refloating of M/V Dali -
UPDATE 23 Photo Release: Key Bridge Unified Command prepares to use small charges for controlled demolition of portion of bridge that lies across M/V DALI -
UPDATE 26: B-roll available: Unified Command continues preparations for refloating of M/V DALI -
UPDATE 24: Marine Safety Information Bulletin 047-24 -
UPDATE 22: Captain of the Port to establish a transit plan to afford recreational vessels the opportunity for transit through the Key Bridge Response Safety Zone, Sunday. -
UPDATE 21 Multimedia Release: Unified Command to use precision cutting during next phase of bridge removal -
UPDATE 20: AUTHORITIES IDENTIFY SIXTH VICTIM RECOVERED IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE -
UPDATE 19 Multimedia Release: Key Bridge Unified Command continues preparations for removal of bridge piece on top of M/V Dali -
UPDATE 18 Multimedia Release: Key Bridge Unified Command prepares for removal of bridge piece on top of M/V DALI -
UPDATE 17: Authorities identify fifth victim recovered in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after locating another vehicle -
UPDATE 16 Multimedia Release: Unified Command reflects on month’s progress during joint recovery and salvage operations -
UPDATE 15: Unified Command opens limited access deep draft channel -
UPDATE 14 Multimedia Release: Unified Command opens third temporary alternate channel -
Update 13: Unified Command Recovers Body of Fourth Missing Construction Worker -
Update 12: Multimedia Release: Removal of containers onboard M/V Dali and bridge wreckage clearing continues at site of Key Bridge incident -
Update 11 Multimedia Release: Removal of containers onboard M/V Dali commences at site of Key Bridge incident -
Update 10 Multimedia Release: Salvage operations continue at site of Key Bridge incident -
Update 9 Release: Unified Command dive teams recover body of missing worker -
Update 8 Multimedia Release: Unified Command divers from partner agencies continue inspection of the port and starboard side of the M/V Dali -
Update 7 Multimedia Release: Unified Command prioritizes crew safety in the face of inclement weather -
UPDATE 6 Multimedia Release: Unified Command prepares for opening of temporary alternate channel around Key Bridge... -
Update 5 Multimedia Release: First vessel passes through temporary alternate channel around Key Bridge wreckage -
UPDATE 4 Multimedia Release: Unified Command prepares for opening of temporary alternate channel around Key Bridge... -
UPDATE 3 Multimedia Release: Unified Command continues bridge wreckage removal for Key Bridge Response 2024 -
UPDATE 2 Multimedia Release: Unified Command commenced bridge wreckage removal for Key Bridge Response 2024 -
UPDATE 1: Unified Command commences bridge wreckage removal for Key Bridge Response 2024
Key Bridge News
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on March 26, 2024, a cargo ship leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the (I-695) Francis Scott Key Bridge. This caused a collapse of the bridge.
I-695 Outer Loop closed at MD 173 (exit 1) and Inner Loop closed at at MD 151/North Point Boulevard (exit 42). Harbor Crossings alternate routes are I-95 or I-895 tunnels. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials prohibited in tunnels should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels. This includes vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials.
Southeast I-695 closed on Outer Loop at MD 173 (exit 1) and Inner Loop closed at MD 151/North Point Boulevard (exit 42). Harbor Crossings alternate routes are I-95 or I-895 tunnels.
April 15, 2024
Vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, flammable liquids, explosives, radioactive and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). Specific information on prohibited and permitted hazardous material transport through the tunnels can be found by visiting the Maryland Division of State Documents' website the Maryland Division of State Documents to view the applicable COMAR regulations: Title 11, Subtitle 7, Chapter 1 (11.07.01).
Oversize and overweight vehicles, including vehicles over 8’-6” in width, 13’-6” in height, 55’-0” in length and tractor trailers over 80,000 lbs should visit the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) Commercial Vehicle Operations website to review permit requirements and routing options.
Additional Info:
May 8, 2024
- May 21, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- May 13, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- April 30, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- April 23, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- April 19, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- April 10, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- April 4, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- April 2, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- April 1, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- March 28, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- March 27, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Press Conference on the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
- March 26, 2024 | Governor Wes Moore Morning Press Conference
The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977 and is named for the author of the Star Spangled Banner. The bridge is the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore's Harbor. Upon completion, the bridge structure and its approaches became the final links in Interstate 695 (the Baltimore Beltway).
By the early 1960s, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (Interstate 895), the first crossing of Baltimore's Harbor, had reached its traffic capacity, and motorists encountered heavy congestion and delays almost daily during rush hours. The State Roads Commission, predecessor of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), concluded there was a need for a second harbor crossing and began planning a single-tube tunnel under the Patapsco River, downstream from the Harbor Tunnel. The proposed site was between Hawkins Point and Sollers Point. Plans also were underway for a drawbridge over Curtis Creek to connect Hawkins Point to Sollers Point.
Contractors took borings of the harbor bottom in the spring of 1969. Bids for construction of the proposed tunnel were opened on July 30, 1970, but price proposals were substantially higher than the engineering estimates. Officials drafted alternative plans, including the concept of a four-lane bridge.
The bridge, at an estimated cost of $110 million, represented the best alternative because it allowed for more traffic lanes and carried lower operating and maintenance costs than a tunnel. In addition, a bridge would provide a route across the Baltimore Harbor for vehicles transporting hazardous materials (these materials are prohibited from both the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry [Interstate 95] tunnels).
Construction on the Francis Scott Key Bridge began in 1972, and the bridge opened to traffic on March 23, 1977. Including its connecting approaches, the bridge project is 10.9 miles in length. Other structures along the thruway include a .64-mile dual-span drawbridge over Curtis Creek and two .74-mile parallel bridge structures that carry traffic over Bear Creek, near Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant.
The Key Bridge is located in an area rich with American history. Scholars believe the span crosses within 100 yards of the site where Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry on the evening of Sept. 12, 1814. That battle inspired Key to write the words of the Star Spangled Banner.
Located just southeast of the bridge are the ruins of Fort Carroll, a 3.4-acre man-made island. The structure was designed by then Brevet-Colonel Robert E. Lee and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Construction of the fort began in 1848, under the supervision of Brevet-Colonel Lee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Fort Carroll was important for the defense of Baltimore -- before the fort was created, the only military defensive structure between Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay was Fort McHenry.
The government abandoned the fort as a military post in 1920, and the island was declared excess property in 1923. However, the War Department took no immediate steps to sell the land. In May 1958, a Baltimore attorney purchased the island for $10,000, but development plans never materialized. The fort now is deserted.
Along with the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels, the Francis Scott Key Bridge is part of a network of Baltimore Harbor crossings that provides convenient and safe transportation for local and interstate traffic.
