The Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse: NTSB Reveals Alarming Risk Levels

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed today that the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed following a vessel strike last year, had a risk level nearly 30 times above the acceptable threshold for critical bridges.

In a significant development, the agency has identified 68 bridges across 19 states that require immediate vulnerability assessments, including iconic structures like the Golden Gate Bridge, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Verrazano Narrows Bridge, and Greater New Orleans Bridge. These bridges, designed before current safety guidelines were established, lack current vulnerability assessments for vessel collision risks.

“Today’s report does not suggest that the 68 bridges are certain to collapse,” the NTSB emphasized, recommending that 30 bridge owners evaluate their structures against American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) acceptable risk levels.

The investigation stems from the March 26, 2024 incident when the Singapore-flagged containership Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor, resulting in a catastrophic collapse that claimed six lives and injured two others.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy highlighted that the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTDA) failed to conduct a recommended vulnerability assessment, which could have revealed the alarming risk levels of the Key Bridge.

The NTSB has issued urgent safety recommendations to bridge owners, the Federal Highway Administration, the US Coast Guard, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to safeguard bridges from vessel strikes.

Dali Investigation

Recent findings from the NTSB revealed critical details about the Dali’s power failure, including unexpected electrical tripping and previous blackouts. The agency is calling for an interdisciplinary team to provide guidance on risk evaluation and reduction strategies.

This incident underscores the importance of assessing infrastructure safety, especially for bridges designed before modern safety standards were established. The NTSB’s ongoing investigation aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The NTSB interim report on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse can be found here.