NTSB urges 68 bridges in 19 states to assess collapse risk after Baltimore tragedy

Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has urged owners of 68 bridges across 19 states to conduct vulnerability assessments to evaluate the risk of collapse from vessel strikes. The Key Bridge disaster, which resulted in the deaths of six construction workers, was attributed to a massive container ship losing power and striking a support pier. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy criticized Maryland officials for failing to complete necessary assessments that could have identified the bridge's high risk level, which was found to be nearly 30 times above acceptable thresholds. The report identified specific bridges in Louisiana, Massachusetts, and other states that require immediate evaluation. While the NTSB's recommendations do not imply that the listed bridges are certain to collapse, they stress the importance of assessing and potentially mitigating risks associated with maritime traffic. This situation highlights a significant gap in safety oversight for aging infrastructure built before modern guidelines were established.