The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report that stated the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) did not follow recommendations over the decades that could have been implemented to protect the Francis Scott Key Bridge from a vessel strike.
This report is in response to the tragic event when the M/V Dali struck and collapsed the Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.
The NTSB stated that the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) should have conducted a vulnerability assessment of the Key Bridge based on recent vessel traffic, as recommended by the 1991 and 2009 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide Specifications.
“Had the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) conducted a vulnerability assessment of the Francis Scott Key Bridge using the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Method II vulnerability assessment calculation, the MDTA would have had information to proactively identify strategies to reduce the risk of a collapse and loss of lives associated with a vessel collision with the bridge,” NTSB said in a statement.
On Friday, MDTA released a statement about the NTSB findings said the DALI is still to blame.
“The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is reviewing recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
“The MDTA maintains the catastrophe and the tragic loss of life was the sole fault of the DALI and the gross negligence of her owners and operators who put profits above safety.
“As requested, the MDTA will provide an update to the NTSB within 30 days, which will include any action we intend to take based on our active evaluation of the pier protection systems, operational changes, and vessel transit procedures of the Bay Bridge.
“The evaluation is being conducted using American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials methodology and was underway when the NTSB requested its results last fall.
Over the past 50 years, hundreds of thousands of vessels transited under the Key Bridge without incident. The Key Bridge, like other bridges in America, was approved and permitted by the federal government and in compliance with those permits.
“The safety of Maryland highways and bridges is always a top priority for MDTA; over the last ten years, the State of Maryland has spent more than $175 million on safety and security for the Bay Bridge alone. MDTA is committed to evaluating and implementing operational changes and vessel transit procedures for both the new Key Bridge and the Bay Bridge.”
The NTSB added that 68 bridges over the country are also likely at risk of catastrophic collapse if those bridges were struck by a large vessel.
