Because the shock of the Key Bridge collapse settled over Baltimore, the brand new visitors realities got here not far behind. The Key, a four-lane-bridge that collapsed after being hit by a container ship, was not probably the most closely trafficked route throughout the Baltimore Harbor, however with out the crossing, about 34,000 vehicles and vehicles now have to search out different routes.
The collapse severs the southern stretch of Interstate 695, the portion of the Baltimore Beltway that runs by way of the closely industrial areas across the port. On Tuesday, as I-695 closed across the bridge, the Maryland Transportation Authority was advising commuters to take one of many two tunnels that additionally span the harbor.
When the Key Bridge opened in 1977, it was meant to alleviate visitors on the closely congested Harbor Tunnel. However the bridge was additionally constructed to function a essential third hyperlink for north-south visitors on I-95 and for industrial visitors from the port and distribution warehouses.
Not solely will the bridge collapse improve strain on the tunnels, which have been already carrying much more day by day visitors than the Key Bridge, however it’s going to additionally current a serious headache to vehicles that lengthy relied on the bridge to move items.
“Almost 4,900 vehicles journey the bridge every day, with $28 billion in items crossing yearly,” stated Sean McNally, a spokesman for the American Trucking Associations, in an e mail.
William Washington, who works at a plant that makes cement board proper on the southern finish of the bridge, stated his work trusted a continuing supply of provides. It isn’t clear what the size of the disruption to the plant shall be, however it is not going to be enterprise as ordinary for a while.
Maybe most affected shall be vehicles carrying hazardous supplies, resembling petroleum or pure fuel, that are prohibited within the tunnels.
In response to Mr. McNally, vehicles carrying hazardous materials must take about 30 miles of detours.