Francis Scott Key Bridge, Truss bridge in Baltimore, United States.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge was a steel truss crossing over the Patapsco River in Baltimore, linking the city with the Dundalk neighborhood. Four traffic lanes ran across its roughly 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) length, serving as a major artery in the harbor area.
Construction began in August 1972 and finished in March 1977 after an investment of about 141 million dollars. On March 26, 2024, the span collapsed when the container ship Dali struck a supporting pier.
The name honors Francis Scott Key, who wrote the United States national anthem in 1814 while watching a British bombardment of Baltimore. Many drivers knew this connection to "The Star-Spangled Banner", which remains part of the city's identity today.
The Maryland Transportation Authority operated the tolled crossing until the March 2024 collapse, with roughly 11.5 million vehicles using it each year. Reconstruction planning is now underway, with costs estimated around 1.7 billion dollars.
In 1978, the American Institute of Steel Construction recognized the span for its innovative design and structural achievements. This award highlighted the engineering advances made in building large steel bridges during the 1970s.
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