Nearly a year after the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a stern warning: 68 major bridges across 19 U.S. states, including five in the Philadelphia area, should undergo urgent risk assessments to determine their vulnerability to vessel collisions.This call to action stems from the NTSB’s investigation into the March 2024 collapse of the Key Bridge, where a large container ship lost power and crashed into the bridge, resulting in catastrophic structural failure and multiple fatalities. The tragedy, which drew national attention and led to massive disruptions in East Coast transportation and shipping, highlighted the potential dangers posed by aging bridge infrastructure in busy maritime routes.According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the collapse could have been avoided. “Had the Maryland Transportation Authority conducted a risk assessment, the vulnerability of the Key Bridge would have been revealed, and proper protections could have been implemented,” Homendy stated during a media briefing held on Thursday to announce the new safety recommendations.
Philadelphia-Area Bridges on the List
Among the 68 bridges flagged for evaluation, five span the Delaware River in the Philadelphia region. These include:The Delaware River Turnpike Bridge, built in 1956, which connects the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Turnpikes. This bridge plays a vital role in interstate travel and commercial transport.Four major spans operated by the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA):Benjamin Franklin BridgeWalt Whitman BridgeCommodore Barry BridgeBetsy Ross Bridge
These bridges are crucial arteries in the region’s infrastructure, supporting thousands of vehicles daily and playing a major role in interstate commerce.The NTSB found that many of the bridges on their list, including these five, were constructed before the adoption of modern engineering safety standards. In the case of the Key Bridge, the agency determined that its risk of collapse was 30 times higher than what current standards would deem acceptable — an alarming figure for infrastructure that supports millions of commuters and tons of freight every year.
Vulnerability Due to Design and Location
Each bridge has unique vulnerabilities based on factors such as its design type, age, and proximity to shipping channels. For instance, the Betsy Ross Bridge is a continuous truss bridge, similar in structure to the Key Bridge in Baltimore. This type of bridge typically uses multiple piers that extend into the water, making them more susceptible to direct impact from large vessels.However, DRPA officials pointed out that differences in local conditions make the situation less dire. The shipping lanes near the Betsy Ross Bridge are far less congested than those near the mouth of Baltimore Harbor, and the vessels passing through the Delaware River in that area tend to be smaller. Additionally, the Betsy Ross is protected by “dolphins” — massive reinforced concrete cylinders designed to deflect and absorb the energy of a wayward ship before it can collide with a supporting pier.Similarly, the Commodore Barry Bridge has been protected since 2008 by man-made rock islands around its piers — a proactive step taken by the DRPA to guard against potential maritime accidents.Despite these measures, DRPA CEO John T. Hanson emphasized the need for continual evaluation. “Our bridges are very safe, considering the type of shipping channel we’re in and the protections we have in place,” Hanson said in a prior interview with The Inquirer. Still, he confirmed that the authority is now reviewing additional protective measures for the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman Bridges in response to the NTSB’s advisory.
National Safety Review Underway
The NTSB’s advisory is not mandatory but carries significant weight. The agency has called on the owners and operators of all 68 identified bridges to conduct formal risk assessments, focusing on a vessel collision scenario that could compromise the structure’s integrity. The hope is to identify vulnerabilities before another tragedy strikes.Bridges identified on the list are not limited to the East Coast. Spanning from California to Florida, these structures were all built prior to modern risk assessment protocols and often without protective features that have since become standard in bridge engineering.The agency’s recommendations also extend beyond just structural assessments. The NTSB is urging bridge owners to consider implementing or upgrading collision protection systems, including:Reinforced pier protection,Physical barriers or fenders,Rock islands or artificial reefs,Upgraded surveillance and ship tracking systems.
The Cost of Inaction
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge had far-reaching consequences, including:Major disruptions to Baltimore’s port operations,Delays in freight delivery,Economic losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars,And most tragically, loss of life.With a national spotlight now on bridge safety, especially for spans crossing busy shipping lanes, officials and infrastructure experts say it’s time for proactive investments and assessments.“Tragedies like the one in Baltimore remind us that critical infrastructure must be protected before disaster strikes — not after,” said Homendy.As America continues to face the realities of aging infrastructure, rising ship traffic, and climate-related challenges, this latest call from the NTSB underscores the importance of engineering foresight, policy urgency, and public safety in national transportation planning.
Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.
