(NewsNation) — A year after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore due to a cargo container ship crashing into one of its supports, analysts are warning that several bridges nationwide could face a similar fate.
According to a new Johns Hopkins University study, major collisions like the one in Baltimore could occur once every 20 years for certain bridges, with many located along the Gulf Coast, where container ship traffic is high.
Bridges increasingly hit by ships
Johns Hopkins researchers examined 16 years of U.S. Coast Guard data on shipping movements and found that severe collisions capable of causing catastrophic damage aren’t rare.
Several major bridges are at risk of being struck. The study identified the following vulnerable bridges:
- The Huey P. Long Bridge near New Orleans: once every 17 years
- The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge: once every 22 years
- The Crescent City Connection in New Orleans: once every 34 years
- The Beltway 8 Bridge in Houston: once every 35 years
- The Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge in New Orleans: once every 37 years
Other bridges in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota and Wisconsin are also at risk.
What steps can be taken to prevent further bridge collisions?
The increased risk stems from two factors: Ships have gotten much larger, often reaching up to 1,000 feet in length, and shipping traffic has surged due to global trade. Plus, many of these bridges were built decades ago and weren’t designed to handle the force of ships this size.
To prevent further bridge collisions, researchers emphasized two key measures: Stricter navigation controls to keep large ships away from bridge piers and reinforced barriers in the water to protect bridge supports.
While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks, analysts stressed that these safety measures can significantly reduce the chances of future incidents.
Honoring the Key Bridge collapse victims
Maryland leaders are honoring the six construction workers who were killed that night when the road they were repairing buckled underneath them on March 26, 2024.
On Tuesday, city and state leaders invited the victims’ families to visit the collapse site for a wreath-laying ceremony. About a dozen relatives boarded the city’s fireboat, which chugged steadily toward the mouth of the Patapsco River where the Key Bridge once stood. One by one, family members stepped to the back of the boat and tossed wreaths of yellow and white flowers into the water, watching them drift away.
The six men were all Latino immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking better wages and brighter futures. Most had lived in the country for many years and worked hard to support their families.
The Port of Baltimore, which was closed for months after the collapse, made an impressive rebound during the second half of 2024, but now, the Trump administration’s tariffs could threaten its ongoing recovery.
Officials say the new bridge should be finished sometime in 2028. They unveiled designs last month for what will become Maryland’s first cable-stayed bridge. It could cost upwards of $1.7 billion, but Congress has agreed to cover the full price tag for rebuilding.
Named after the man who penned the national anthem during the War of 1812, the Key Bridge was a beloved feature of Baltimore’s skyline and a symbol of its proud working-class history.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.