In the wake of the tragic collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge a year ago, Maryland officials are paying tribute to the six construction workers who lost their lives when the structure gave way during repairs. Although police managed to cease traffic moments before a cargo ship hit the bridge, the road crew wasn’t informed in time.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott spoke during a remembrance ceremony, highlighting the collective priority shared by all at the scene: “those men we lost in the water.” While marking a day of mourning, Scott emphasized the resilience displayed by the Baltimore community during the crisis.
The aftermath of the collapse saw the Port of Baltimore closed for months due to debris obstructing its key shipping channel. Although recovery was strong in the latter half of 2024, new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration pose a threat to its progress.
Recently, federal investigators admonished the Maryland Transportation Authority for not addressing the longstanding risk of ship collisions since the bridge’s opening in 1977. Other bridge owners have been encouraged to learn from this oversight.
This past year without the Key Bridge, essential for linking industrial areas around Baltimore and bypassing its downtown, has resulted in increased traffic on alternative routes. Renowned for its iconic status and working-class symbolism, the Key Bridge was named for the writer of the national anthem.
Governor Wes Moore recounted the shocking news at 2 a.m. on March 26, 2024, when he learned of the bridge’s destruction. A ship crash into one of the bridge’s columns had resulted in the tragic deaths of six workers.
As the situation unfolded, Moore and responders focused on the recovery efforts that followed. In the months after, people came to the riverbanks to watch the gradual clearing of the scene. By June, the Port of Baltimore’s main channel was back in operation.
On Tuesday, city and state leaders came together with the victims’ families to honor their loved ones at the collapse site with a floral tribute. Families placed wreaths in the water near the bridge ruins, remembering the six men, Latino immigrants who sought better opportunities in the U.S. “They deserve our utmost respect,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld stated.
Planning for the new bridge has progressed, targeting a 2028 completion. Announced plans suggest Maryland’s first cable-stayed bridge, projected to cost over $1.7 billion, a figure Congress has agreed to fully finance.
The holiday season of 2024 saw the port achieve notable productivity, bringing in 45.9 million tons of cargo. Although tariffs from the Trump administration could impact imports, there is hope for continued port success.
Federal investigators are still probing the bridge collapse’s cause, with conclusions expected by fall 2025. Meanwhile, the NTSB has issued urgent recommendations for other bridge owners to assess vulnerabilities, as similar risks might exist across 19 states’ infrastructure.
Adding to the investigations, the FBI has begun a criminal inquiry into the events leading up to the collapse, for which updates are still pending.
Maria del Carmen Castellón, whose husband was among those killed, urged federal authorities for justice, highlighting the irreplaceable personal losses suffered amid the structural devastation.