Nationwide Bridge Crisis: 68 Structures at Risk of Collapse Following Key Bridge Disaster
A chilling warning has emerged from federal officials investigating the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland: at least 68 bridges across the United States could be vulnerable to a similar fate. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the agency spearheading the Key Bridge inquiry, has identified numerous iconic and heavily-trafficked spans that potentially face an elevated risk of collapse due to insufficient risk assessments.
The NTSB’s alarming revelation came during a recent update on its investigation into the Key Bridge disaster. The incident, which occurred nearly a year ago, saw the Dali, a massive 984-foot container ship, lose power and collide with critical bridge supports, causing the structure to crumble into the Patapsco River. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of six construction workers, highlighting the devastating consequences of bridge failures.
NTSB Chair Jennifer L. Homendy expressed grave concern that dozens of bridge authorities nationwide have neglected to conduct thorough risk assessments to determine the potential for catastrophic failures. "Frankly, we’ve been sounding the alarm on this since the tragedy occurred," Homendy stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "We need action. Public safety depends on it."
The NTSB’s investigation revealed that the Maryland Transit Authority had never performed a risk assessment on the Key Bridge, a staggering oversight considering a subsequent federal postmortem analysis determined its risk of disaster was 30 times higher than established guidance. This revelation underscores the critical importance of proactive risk assessment in preventing future bridge collapses.
Homendy cautioned that 68 bridges across 19 states have not undergone the necessary assessments, leaving them potentially exposed to significant risks. These bridges, scattered across the country, include some of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and several major bridges in New York City.
The distribution of unassessed bridges is widespread. New York leads the list with 13 bridges lacking assessments, followed by Louisiana with eight, California and Texas with seven each, Ohio with six, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania with four each, Delaware and Maryland with three each, Florida, New Jersey, and Oregon with two each, and Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin with one each.
Among the prominent bridges on the unassessed list are the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, George Washington Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge in New York City. The Chicago Skyway, Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, and Huey P. Long Bridge near New Orleans are also included, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities in vital transportation arteries.
The NTSB plans to issue an urgent recommendation to bridge authorities, urging them to conduct comprehensive assessments without delay. The urgency of the recommendation stems from the potential for immediate risk to public safety.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the list of unassessed bridges includes the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida, the very bridge whose collapse in 1980 prompted the development of the risk assessment standard. In that incident, a 1,200-foot section of the bridge collapsed after a freighter struck a support during a thunderstorm, resulting in the deaths of 35 people. The bridge was rebuilt in 1982.
Following the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster, national transportation authorities developed a "mathematical risk model" to determine a bridge’s likelihood of collapse. This model incorporates various factors, including the speed and traffic of vessels in the water, as well as bridge and water channel geometry. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) published the risk assessment guidance in 1994.
A common thread among the bridges that have not been assessed is their age. Many of these structures are older, with some, like the Brooklyn Bridge, dating back to the 19th century. While new bridges are required to undergo assessments under Federal Highway Administration regulations implemented in 1994, older bridges have often been exempted from this requirement.
Despite multiple recommendations from the NTSB to perform assessments on older bridges, many authorities have yet to take action. This inaction raises serious questions about the prioritization of bridge safety and the potential consequences of neglecting to address known risks.
The NTSB’s warning underscores the need for immediate and decisive action to address the potential for catastrophic bridge failures. The lives of countless individuals depend on the safety and integrity of these vital transportation links. By conducting thorough risk assessments and implementing necessary safeguards, authorities can mitigate the risk of future tragedies and ensure the continued safety of the nation’s bridges. The time to act is now, before another disaster strikes. The memory of the Key Bridge collapse and the lessons learned from the Sunshine Skyway tragedy must serve as a catalyst for change, prompting a renewed commitment to bridge safety and proactive risk management.
