Port of Baltimore Faces Lengthy Cleanup After Bridge Collapse, Officials Report

Officials have stated that it may take weeks for the Port of Baltimore to reopen after a catastrophic bridge collapse this week. The cleanup process is expected to be challenging, causing uncertainty for commuters, workers, and disrupting supply chains.

In response to the disaster, the Chesapeake 1000, the largest crane on the East Coast, was brought in on Friday to assist in clearing the debris. The collision of a 213-million-pound cargo vessel with the Francis Scott Key Bridge resulted in significant damage, leading to the loss of six construction workers. Tragically, four of the workers' bodies have yet to be recovered.

Crews are aiming to work efficiently to expedite the resumption of the search for the missing victims and the reopening of a crucial cargo channel that is vital to the local and national economies, according to authorities.

Scott Spellmon, commanding general of the US Army Corps of Engineers, mentioned that the cleanup effort and the reopening of the channel may take weeks rather than days or months. He emphasized that a specific timeline cannot be determined until a full analysis is completed.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced on Saturday that the cargo ship's hull is damaged but still whole. He also mentioned that the Army Corps and its partners will proceed with crane operations.

According to Moore, the north sections of the Key Bridge will be cut up and taken out. This action will eventually create a temporary restricted channel, which will assist in getting more vessels in the water near the collapse site.

The first section of the bridge is scheduled to be lifted on Saturday, as per officials.

Paul Wiedefeld, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, mentioned on Saturday that crews are currently working on the north side of the bridge. The first piece may be taken out and transported to Trade Point Atlantic today.

Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath from the US Coast Guard mentioned that the first lift is just the start of a lengthy process to allow tug and barge traffic back into the port.

He compared it to running a marathon, emphasizing that taking the initial steps is crucial.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company informed CNN via email on Saturday that ongoing cleanup efforts have involved isolating a portion of an underwater natural gas pipeline.

According to a spokesperson, the company deliberately released gas from that specific section as a safety precaution to assist with the salvage operations near the bridge.

The spokesperson mentioned that the work has not caused any issues for customers or safety concerns.

Spellmon informed CNN on Friday that it may require several days to inspect the area before the initial part of the large wreckage is removed. Over 1,000 engineers in Baltimore and nationwide are carefully analyzing each piece of the wreckage to determine the most effective method for its removal.

From top left to right, Carlos Hernández, Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval. From bottom left to right, Jose Mynor Lopez and Dorlian Castillo Cabrera

From top left to right, Carlos Hernández, Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval. From bottom left to right, Jose Mynor Lopez and Dorlian Castillo Cabrera

Obtained by CNN

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To assist with the extensive recovery efforts, additional heavy equipment will be arriving at the scene in the upcoming weeks. This will consist of seven floating cranes, 10 tugs, nine barges, eight salvage vessels, and five Coast Guard boats, as mentioned by Moore.

Workers are still facing a very complex job at the scene, according to Moore on Thursday. The governor mentioned that when you see the wreckage up close, you realize how big the challenge is. The timeline for completion will be quite lengthy.

The cargo ship, which is about the length of three football fields, is carrying approximately 4,000 tons of steel from the bridge's frame on its bow.

Authorities suspect that the four remaining victims are stuck in the underwater wreckage made up of steel and concrete. Recovering these victims is a top priority, as Moore stated, "It is our duty to provide closure to the families of those affected."

The economic impact of the bridge collapse extends beyond the human toll. The halt in ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore has affected thousands of dock workers who depend on the port for their livelihood.

According to Moore, the port is the largest in the US for cars and light trucks, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year. It is also a key hub for farm equipment. At least 8,000 dock workers have been directly impacted by the collapse, losing their jobs indefinitely.

"Our economy relies heavily on the Port of Baltimore, and the Port of Baltimore relies on vessel traffic," Moore emphasized during his talk on Friday.

He further added, "Maryland's economy and its workers count on us to work efficiently, but it's not just Maryland. The entire nation's economy and workforce are depending on us to operate swiftly."

On Saturday, Moore shared that the US Small Business Administration has approved his request for federal loan assistance. The funds, which are low interest, can be used for up to $2 million.

An immigrant advocacy group has highlighted the risks that workers face in order to make our lives more convenient.

Construction workers and supporters reflect during a moment of prayer at a vigil and news conference by CASA of Maryland on Friday in Baltimore.

Construction workers and supporters reflect during a moment of prayer at a vigil and news conference by CASA of Maryland on Friday in Baltimore.

CASA, an organization that supports working-class and immigrant families, highlighted the risks that construction workers encounter in their line of work. This comes after the tragic incident where six men lost their lives due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The victims, who came from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, were repairing potholes on the bridge when a container ship collided with it on Tuesday.

Gustavo Torres, the Executive Director of CASA, highlighted that essential workers, such as the individuals on the bridge, carry out important but risky tasks that put their own safety in jeopardy.

“These workers who make it possible to get to work … who work at night and it in the cold and throughout the pandemic — so our lives are made easier,” Torres said.

A family looks at the steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sitting on top of the container ship Dali after the bridge collapsed in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The bridge collapsed early March 26 after being struck by the Singapore-flagged Dali container ship, sending multiple vehicles and people plunging into the frigid harbor below. There was no immediate confirmation of the cause of the disaster, but Baltimore's Police Commissioner Richard Worley said there was "no indication" of terrorism. (Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP) (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

A family in Baltimore, Maryland, gazes at the steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge perched on top of the container ship Dali. The bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024, after being struck by the Singapore-flagged Dali. This tragic incident resulted in multiple vehicles and individuals plunging into the cold harbor below. Despite the devastation, there was no immediate confirmation of the cause of the disaster. Baltimore's Police Commissioner Richard Worley stated that there was "no indication" of terrorism. The photo capturing this heartbreaking moment was taken by Kent Nishimura of AFP/Getty Images.

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Earlier this week, officials confirmed that the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes from Mexico and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera from Guatemala have been found. Recovery efforts for the remaining four individuals were temporarily halted due to safety concerns caused by concrete and debris.

Among the workers whose bodies are still missing are Miguel Luna, a father of three, and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a father of two, who were both affiliated with CASA.

Families of the men who were on the bridge are facing the difficult reality of losing their loved ones as crews continue to work at the collapse site. They are desperately seeking closure as they anxiously wait for news of their missing family members.

Carlos Hernández, a 24-year-old from Mexico, sent a voice memo to his girlfriend just moments before the bridge collapsed.

"Yes, my dear, we've just finished pouring the cement and now we're waiting for it to dry," Hernández informed Jazmin Alvarez in a voice note shared with CNN affiliate Univision.

Hernández's mother, Lucia Zambrano, expressed to Univision her plea for assistance in obtaining a humanitarian visa. She hopes to travel to Maryland to be by her son's side and to help in the efforts to continue searching for him.

Zambrano expressed, "I wake up hoping it's just a dream, but reality hits me when I realize my son was there."

In Dundalk, Maryland, the Owls Corner Café is showing support for one of its employees, Isabel Franco, whose husband Jose Mynor Lopez is missing since the bridge collapse. Franco works for the cafe, as mentioned by owner Lilly Ordonez. The café has initiated a GoFundMe page for Franco and her family, stating that Lopez's absence has left the family with an uncertain future, as he was their main provider and source of strength.

CNN’s Elizabeth Wolfe and Holly Yan contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore has left an imprint of devastation upon the city and its people. The loss of six construction workers, whose bodies remain trapped beneath the wreckage, serves as a stark reminder of the risks these individuals face in maintaining our infrastructure. The economic impact is also profound, with thousands of dock workers left jobless due to the disruption of ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore, a crucial hub for the region. The recovery efforts, hampered by the complex nature of the wreckage, underscore the immense challenge of restoring normalcy to this vital waterway.

As the cleanup continues, the focus remains on recovering the missing victims and reopening the port. The arrival of additional heavy equipment and the expertise of the US Army Corps of Engineers provide hope for progress. However, the timeline for completion remains uncertain, leaving families of the victims in anguish and the city grappling with the economic consequences. The human toll of this disaster extends beyond the immediate loss of life, affecting countless individuals and businesses. The story of the construction workers, who came from different corners of the world to build and maintain our infrastructure, highlights the sacrifices made by those who labor to keep our society running.