Francis scott key bridge history

Before its collapse on Tuesday, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was considered a seminal engineering accomplishment.

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Six missing construction workers on the bridge at the time of the collapse are missing and presumed dead, according to U. Two others were rescued, one unharmed and the other in "very serious condition," according to Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said at a news conference that the incident will have major and protracted impact to supply chains.

He added that it's too soon to tell when the port will be cleared and reopened. This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure. It has been part of the skyline of this region for longer than many of us have been alive," Buttigieg said.

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It will not be quick, it will not be inexpensive, but we will rebuild together. Until Tuesday it was still the second-longest in the U. The steel-arched bridge opened in March after years of construction that began in , according to the Maryland Transportation Authority. The bridge crossed over the Patapsco River on Interstate , or the Baltimore Beltway, serving as the highway's final link.

It was the farthest of three tollways that cross the city's harbor. The structure crossed over the Patapsco River near where Key was inspired to write the lyrics for the national anthem, according to the transportation authority. It is believed that the Frederick, Maryland amateur poet was inspired to write the song after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry on Sept.

In addition to its historical significance, the bridge played an essential role in East Coast shipping. In , the port's private and public terminals handled more autos and light trucks than any other U.