After the collapse of the cargo ship Dalí against the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore Maryland, United States, many questions have arisen both around the tragedy and the history of the bridge.
Who was Francis Scott Key?
Initially the bridge was known as Outer Harbord Crossing but at its inauguration in 1977 it was renamed and named Francis Scott Key, paying tribute to the author of the United States national anthem.
Francis Scott Key was a lawyer and one of the most prominent playwrights in North American literature who participated in the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. He was born in Maryland United States, on August 1, 1779.
In 1813, Scott Key served in the Georgetown Field Artillery until he was appointed United States District Attorney the following year.
In 1814 Scott Key was on a ship to negotiate the release of an American prisoner, witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
Francis Scott Key could see the American flag flying high, and this scene inspired him to write a poem that later became the American national anthem, better known as The Star-Spangled Banner.
When did the Francis Scott Key Bridge open?
The bridge began construction in 1972, obtaining approval from the General Assembly a year earlier for the construction of a four-lane bridge.
Construction of the bridge was a challenge for engineers at the time, as the bridge had to withstand not only the traffic of the city of Baltimore, but also weather conditions and occasional seismic activity.
Finally, on March 23, 1977, the bridge was inaugurated and is located over the Patapsco River and connects from the port of Baltimore to the Chesapeake Bay.
It cost around US$60 million
How long was the bridge in Baltimore?
The Francis Scott Key Bridge had a steel structure with a length of 2,632 meters (approximately 2.6 kilometers) and its central structure had three arches.
It had four lanes, two lanes for both directions, and was 56 meters above sea level.
Importance of the Francis Scott Key Bridge to Baltimore’s economy
Baltimore is among the ten largest ports in the United States for international cargo. Interstate 695 passed over this bridge allowing ships to travel to and from this port. Thus, the structure handled a record of 52.3 million tons, valued at US$80.8 billion in 2023.
According to data from the Maryland state government, this port generates around 15 thousand direct jobs and 139 thousand in related services.
The passage through this bridge was regulated by a toll system that contributed to the maintenance and continuous improvement of its structure and through which approximately 11 million vehicles crossed per year.
How much will it cost to rebuild the bridge?
According to experts, rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge could cost ten times more than its original construction.
Engineer David MacKenzie in an interview for the American media NBC News He commented that it must be rebuilt quickly due to the pressure of interurban traffic, which means it will be much more expensive. MacKenzie commented that the approximate time it will take to rebuild the bridge is approximately two years.
On the other hand, Baltimore authorities commented that the bridge will be rebuilt in a way that remembers the people impacted by the tragedy by honoring their memory.
Other curious facts about the Baltimore Bridge
- More than 35 thousand vehicles traveled across the bridge daily.
- United States President Joe Biden commented that he is committed to helping rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.
- This bridge was the third longest truss bridge—which had a continuous metal structure—in the world.
- The bridge was considered a cultural and tourist icon thanks to its impressive structure and connection to American history.
- With the bridge in the background, a dramatic scene from the series was filmed The Wire.
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