Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) complete collapse after large ship hits it

[rickmastfan67]

[1995hoo]

The Federal Register is proposing the removal of the bridge from the National Network until it is rebuilt and the designation of the alternative route around the city

https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-10025/emergency-temporary-closure-segment-of-interstate-695-including-the-francis-scott-key-bridge-in

It's not the Federal Register proposing it, it's the Federal Highway Administration. The Federal Register is simply a government-wide compilation of agency rules, proposed rules, and notices.

[davewiecking]

The Federal Register is proposing the removal of the bridge from the National Network until it is rebuilt and the designation of the alternative route around the city

https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-10025/emergency-temporary-closure-segment-of-interstate-695-including-the-francis-scott-key-bridge-in

There will be a public comment period once the document is officially published.

Everyone one this forum will be required to submit a comment "it's not I-695!"

[1995hoo]

The Federal Register is proposing the removal of the bridge from the National Network until it is rebuilt and the designation of the alternative route around the city

https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-10025/emergency-temporary-closure-segment-of-interstate-695-including-the-francis-scott-key-bridge-in

There will be a public comment period once the document is officially published.

Everyone one this forum will be required to submit a comment "it's not I-695!"

Interestingly, it addresses that in a footnote.

[vdeane]

What is the point in removing 695 from the National Network (is this the NHS or something else?  It seems unclear) for a temporary closure?

The portion of I-695 that includes the Francis Scott Key Bridge is a part of the National Highway System
(NHS) and was officially incorporated into the Interstate System effective April 29, 2024

Interesting.

[1995hoo]

What is the point in removing 695 from the National Network (is this the NHS or something else?  It seems unclear) for a temporary closure?

...

It's something else, per the FHWA.

[Henry]

May I direct your attention to the new Key Bridge?



And here's the full story below, via the accompanying article:

WeBuild, with its US subsidiary Lane, has unveiled a proposal for the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction design and planning in Baltimore.

The initiative follows the collapse of the bridge last March, which resulted in loss of lives and disrupted a crucial maritime connection.

WeBuild's proposal, a cable-stayed bridge design, has been developed in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and architect Carlo Ratti and French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux.

This new structure is expected to ensure maximum safety for both vehicular traffic and navigation for larger ships, focusing on enhanced safety, adaptability, and sustainability.

The design anticipates a navigable clearance of 213ft, more than the previous bridge, and an expanded bridge span of approximately 2,300ft.

The main pylons are planned to be positioned in shallower waters, away from the navigation channel.

In response to increased traffic, the proposal includes a wider carriageway, adding one lane in each direction and expanding emergency lanes.

The new bridge will also incorporate smart features for improved traffic management and the application of predictive maintenance techniques.

Carlo Ratti said: "Opting for a cable-stayed solution enables the piles to be positioned at a safe distance, well away from the navigation channel used by large vessels and hence preventing the risk of a tragedy such as the one of March 26 happening again.

"This approach also provides a light-weight solution to reconnect two sides of Baltimore, both socially and economically - what American infrastructure should be striving to do in the 21st century."

The project will further include the use of materials that aim to preserve the Patapsco River's ecosystem.

Webuild CEO Pietro Salini said: "We will take part, on 7 May, in the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)'s Virtual Industry Forum for the reconstruction of the bridge, and we are ready to help in any way we can at this stage in the spirit of pro bono service.

"The design concept of the bridge that we have been working on incessantly during this last month will represent a key contribution towards the design and reconstruction or new construction of the bridge."

Last month, Lane was awarded a $110m contract to construct the Newport News Segment of the Interstate (I)-64 Hampton Roads Express Lanes in Hampton, Virginia.

[jeffandnicole]

All 6 bodies have now been recovered. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/07/us/sixth-body-baltimore-bridge-collapse-recovered/index.html

[roadman65]

All 6 bodies have now been recovered. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/07/us/sixth-body-baltimore-bridge-collapse-recovered/index.html

At least the families can get closure and give their loved ones a proper service.

[triplemultiplex]

Even though it's just a first pitch by some entity, I have to imagine the eventual replacement will basically look like this. 

[MASTERNC]

Even though it's just a first pitch by some entity, I have to imagine the eventual replacement will basically look like this. 

Especially given the safety "lessons learned" will be to place the piers out of the shipping channel like this bridge would

[plain]

Even though it's just a first pitch by some entity, I have to imagine the eventual replacement will basically look like this. 

Especially given the safety "lessons learned" will be to place the piers out of the shipping channel like this bridge would

Yes, and a wider horizontal clearance will also allow ships and other boats to pass in each direction simultaneously. Or is just a narrow lane dredged to 50ft there? I'm on my phone, do anyone have a nautical chart handy they can post?

[The Ghostbuster]

I think all remaining four-lane segments on the Baltimore Beltway should be expanded to six lanes. The four-lane segments may not be as heavily traveled as other segments of 695, but since the new bridge will be six lanes, the rest of the beltway should be at least six lanes as well.

[jeffandnicole]

I think all remaining four-lane segments on the Baltimore Beltway should be expanded to six lanes. The four-lane segments may not be as heavily traveled as other segments of 695, but since the new bridge will be six lanes, the rest of the beltway should be at least six lanes as well.

Widening the highway would be dependent on traffic volumes at those specific areas. The bridge's width has nothing to do with the width of the roadway elsewhere.

[J N Winkler]

Yes, and a wider horizontal clearance will also allow ships and other boats to pass in each direction simultaneously. Or is just a narrow lane dredged to 50ft there? I'm on my phone, does anyone have a nautical chart handy they can post?

Here's an extract from the relevant nautical chart:



The shipping channel has a nominal width of 1100 feet and, per the legend (not included in this extract), a nominal depth of 50 feet.  The chart does not otherwise specify the cross-section of the channel at the bridge.

The Unified Command has said, IIRC, that they do plan to clear it so that it can again handle two-way traffic.

The channel ran essentially from one inside face of one main pier to the inside face of the other.  Increasing main span length would buy more margin for error by allowing the new piers and their defenses to be positioned well outside the area used for navigation.  At Tampa Bay, the piers for the Sunshine Skyway are positioned on artificial islands that just border the channel (which is only 43 feet deep) on their inside edges.

[MASTERNC]

Not sure it's enough but the MDTA is changing traffic patterns around the Harbor Tunnel tolls to improve merging into the tunnel.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/key-bridge-collapse-causes-traffic-headaches-theres-a-plan-to-alleviate-congestion-baltimore-mdta-toll-county-patapsco-river/

[Henry]

Not sure it's enough but the MDTA is changing traffic patterns around the Harbor Tunnel tolls to improve merging into the tunnel.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/key-bridge-collapse-causes-traffic-headaches-theres-a-plan-to-alleviate-congestion-baltimore-mdta-toll-county-patapsco-river/

It also looks like Exit 44 on I-695 will reopen, along with the U-turn ramp, and it's going to be toll-free, since the bridge is no longer there but will be rebuilt in four years, if the timeline holds up.

[MASTERNC]

Not sure it's enough but the MDTA is changing traffic patterns around the Harbor Tunnel tolls to improve merging into the tunnel.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/key-bridge-collapse-causes-traffic-headaches-theres-a-plan-to-alleviate-congestion-baltimore-mdta-toll-county-patapsco-river/

It also looks like Exit 44 on I-695 will reopen, along with the U-turn ramp, and it's going to be toll-free, since the bridge is no longer there but will be rebuilt in four years, if the timeline holds up.

The press release says it will be tolled starting 6/1

[Henry]

The largest truss section of the bridge has been detonated by controlled demolition:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/controlled-demolition-baltimore-bridge-collapse-173332066.html

As a result, the Dali is finally cleared of the debris that had been resting on its damaged area for about a month and a half.

[epzik8]

The largest truss section of the bridge has been detonated by controlled demolition:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/controlled-demolition-baltimore-bridge-collapse-173332066.html

As a result, the Dali is finally cleared of the debris that had been resting on its damaged area for about a month and a half.

Did not know the ship's crew was still on board over a month later.

[kalvado]

The largest truss section of the bridge has been detonated by controlled demolition:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/controlled-demolition-baltimore-bridge-collapse-173332066.html

As a result, the Dali is finally cleared of the debris that had been resting on its damaged area for about a month and a half.

Did not know the ship's crew was still on board over a month later.

Most likely they don't even have the paperwork to get ashore in US for extended period of time

[davewiecking]

Did not know the ship's crew was still on board over a month later.

Been several articles about local groups helping arrange for them to get food that more closely resembles what they're used to eating. In addition to the legal issues, they are needed to keep the ship's critical systems operating (at least better than the night they hit the bridge). What surprised me was that originally the harbor pilot and his trainee were also kept on board. They might still be there; I don't recall reading anything recent one way or the other.

[J N Winkler]

I suspect the harbor pilot and his apprentice are still on board, possibly because they are operating under maritime law that does not give them the legal ability to step away even though the boat has been stuck, clearly unable to move, for over six weeks now.

[bwana39]

The Federal Register is proposing the removal of the bridge from the National Network until it is rebuilt and the designation of the alternative route around the city

https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-10025/emergency-temporary-closure-segment-of-interstate-695-including-the-francis-scott-key-bridge-in

There will be a public comment period once the document is officially published.

Everyone one this forum will be required to submit a comment "it's not I-695!"

Interestingly, it addresses that in a footnote.

Probably to make sure Maryland does not get to use the miles in its maintenance allocations from the feds.

[Rothman]

The Federal Register is proposing the removal of the bridge from the National Network until it is rebuilt and the designation of the alternative route around the city

https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-10025/emergency-temporary-closure-segment-of-interstate-695-including-the-francis-scott-key-bridge-in

There will be a public comment period once the document is officially published.

Everyone one this forum will be required to submit a comment "it's not I-695!"

Interestingly, it addresses that in a footnote.

Probably to make sure Maryland does not get to use the miles in its maintenance allocations from the feds.

Feds haven't used updated miles to calculate apportionments in a decade.  I believe MAP-21 was the last time and they've essentially just brought levels forward through percentages in the bills since.