Maryland governor says the operation to restore the channel was “remarkably complex.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced on Monday that the Fort McHenry Federal Channel has been restored to its original width and depth. The Port of Baltimore’s main shipping channel had been closed since the cargo ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in late March, causing the bridge to collapse.
The temporary channels that were opened during the Unified Command’s operations to clear the debris were unable to accommodate the vessels that the 700-foot-wide and 50-foot-deep Fort McHenry could.
“Following the removal of wreckage at the 50-foot mud-line, the Unified Command performed a survey of the Federal Channel June 10, certifying the riverbed as safe for transit,“ the USACE stated. “Surveying and removal of steel at and below the 50-foot mud-line will continue to ensure future dredging operations are not impacted.“
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said, “With the channel now fully open, we can get more Marylanders back to work at the Port of Baltimore, increase the flow of commerce through the city, and accelerate our economic recovery.“
However, he said, “Our work is not over until we rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.“
The Port of Baltimore processes more farm equipment and automobiles than any other U.S. port.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- With gratitude to the Lord for the economic and commercial opportunities that will reopen due to the restoration of the main shipping channel.
- For Lt. General Scott Spellmon as he commands the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- For Governor Moore and other state officials as they pursue the reconstruction of the Key Bridge.
Sources: Axios, NAB.USACE.Army.mil,
