NTSB Identifies 68 US Bridges Needing Safety Assessments After Key Bridge Collapse

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has called for urgent safety assessments of 68 bridges across the United States, highlighting the risk of collapse if struck by vessels. This recommendation follows the investigation into the March 2024 collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was hit by a cargo ship, resulting in six fatalities. The NTSB found that the Key Bridge's risk of collapse was nearly 30 times above the standard due to a lack of a vulnerability assessment. The Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville and several iconic bridges, including the Golden Gate and Brooklyn Bridges, are among those identified as needing assessments. The NTSB urges bridge owners to conduct risk evaluations using standards from the American Association for State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and to implement measures to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, federal agencies are encouraged to form a taskforce to support these assessments.