Teams of engineers in Baltimore are currently working on the complex task of cutting and lifting the first section of twisted steel from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge crumpled into the Patapsco River after a massive cargo ship crashed into one of its supports earlier in the week. The work is being done on the top of the north side of the collapsed structure, with crews carefully measuring and cutting the steel before attaching straps to lift it onto a barge. The operation involves seven floating cranes, including a massive one capable of lifting 1,000 tons, as well as numerous tugboats, barges, salvage vessels, and Coast Guard boats.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized the importance of the first movement of the bridge wreckage, acknowledging the complexity of the process. The bridge, completed in 1977, carried Interstate 695 around southeast Baltimore and its collapse has led to the closure of the Port of Baltimore and a major highway link. President Joe Biden's administration has approved $60 million in immediate aid for the rebuilding effort, with the federal government committed to covering the full cost.

The collision and collapse of the bridge, which resulted in the deaths of six workers from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, is believed to have been an accident caused by the cargo ship losing power. Efforts are underway to stabilize the site so divers can resume searching for the four missing workers. The wreckage has blocked ship traffic at the port, impacting thousands of dockworkers, commuters, and U.S. consumers who are likely to experience shipping delays.

The Maryland Department of Transportation is planning to rebuild the bridge and is considering innovative designs and building materials to expedite the project. The economic impact of the bridge collapse is significant, with the International Longshoremen's Association Local 333 expressing concerns about job security for its members. The salvage operation is ongoing, with the goal of reopening the ship channel and the Port of Baltimore as soon as possible.