US 50/301(Chesapeake Bay Bridge)

[jeffandnicole]

...The Key Bridge collapse blocked the main channel for 8 weeks and estimated economic losses are $3 to $5 billion for the shipping suspensions...

I would imagine economic losses are actually near $0. The ships just went elsewhere, or shipping was delayed.

The *Port of Baltimore* might have lost money, but that would be calculated in the millions to tens of millions.

[Beltway]

...The Key Bridge collapse blocked the main channel for 8 weeks and estimated economic losses are $3 to $5 billion for the shipping suspensions...

I would imagine economic losses are actually near $0. The ships just went elsewhere, or shipping was delayed.
The *Port of Baltimore* might have lost money, but that would be calculated in the millions to tens of millions.

There are a range of estimates that have been cited. They need more refinement, but they are not insignificant.

"Preliminary estimates put the projected economic impacts of the Baltimore bridge collapse at more than $10 billion. This figure includes insured business interruption, cargo, property, and marine liability and hull losses that could total $2 – $4 billion."

https://milberg.com/case/baltimore-bridge-collapse-business-loss-claims/

[BrianP]

MDTA announces plans to improve safety on Bay Bridge

Nevertheless, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the MDTA plans, beginning this summer, to develop short- and long-term plans for reducing collision risks for both the eastbound and westbound spans of the Bay Bridge.

It is also considering requiring reduced speeds for ships passing below the bridge, one-way transits as well as improved communication protocols and methods to manage car traffic on the bridge.

Longer-term projects could include more pier fenders around the support columns and additional dolphins — concrete barriers that surround bridge columns.

[Beltway]

MDTA announces plans to improve safety on Bay Bridge

Nevertheless, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the MDTA plans, beginning this summer, to develop short- and long-term plans for reducing collision risks for both the eastbound and westbound spans of the Bay Bridge.
It is also considering requiring reduced speeds for ships passing below the bridge, one-way transits as well as improved communication protocols and methods to manage car traffic on the bridge.
Longer-term projects could include more pier fenders around the support columns and additional dolphins — concrete barriers that surround bridge columns.

The Bay Bridge does have some protections for main piers and anchorages.

Concrete structure foundations on all 4 main piers, rip-rap islands on the older bridge anchorages, and massive concrete structures on the newer bridge anchorages.

Water depths are such that a 50-foot deep shipping channel needs no dredging.

It would be pretty challenging to say the least to build robust enough structures to stop or deflect a 100,000+ ton ship moving at channel speed.

This main span is 1,600 feet long and in open waters, not a harbor, so there might not be the same vulnerabilities as with the Baltimore outer harbor.

Images from --
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Chesa_Bay_Bridge_Walk.html


...

...

...

[1995hoo]

The Bay Bridge is known for a higher-than-normal percentage of "timid drivers." I wonder whether the Key Bridge collapsed caused a spike in that. Would not surprise me at all.