By Mike Schuler, gCaptain.
Efforts to clear wreckage from the riverbed to restore the Federal Channel to its original dimensions are continuing in the Port of Baltimore after the reopening of the limited access channel to a width of 400 feet and a depth of 50 feet on Monday, May 20.
The reopening followed the refloating and removal of the M/V Dali on Monday, allowing the transit of all deep-draft commercial vessels calling on the Port of Baltimore.
“We are not taking our foot off the gas,” said Col. Estee S. Pinchasin, USACE, Baltimore District commander. “We are pushing forward as quickly and safely as possible to reach 700 feet and ensuring we remove all wreckage to prevent any impact to future navigation.”
Efforts to restore the federal channel to its original specifications — 700-foot width and 50-foot depth — are ongoing. The task involves removing the bottom cord of the remaining truss and cutting it into three sections for safe wreckage lifting.
Despite the complexity of the task and potential weather impacts, the work is expected to conclude between June 8-10.
“We are pushing forward as quickly and safely as possible to reach 700 feet and ensuring we remove all wreckage to prevent any impact to future navigation,” said Col. Estee S. Pinchasin, USACE, Baltimore District commander.
The Port of Baltimore on Friday said business was picking up with more than 30 vessels and barges are due into its public terminals over the next week.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to work in a coordinated effort with all the agencies that comprise the Unified Command to ensure the successful completion of the project.
This article originally appeared as part of gCaptain’s Baltimore Bridge Collapse Megathread.
