As part of the Unified Command response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving on June 10 restored the Fort McHenry Federal Channel to its original operational dimensions of 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep for commercial maritime transit through the Port of Baltimore.
The news came within hours after the Unified Command, set up following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, had released new video and imagery showing continued progress on its work to reopen the Fort McHenry Federal Channel.
“We remain confident we will have the Federal Channel fully restored in the next few days,” Col. Estee S. Pinchasin, USACE, Baltimore District commander, said then. “We’re using the same detailed process as when opening the three alternate channels and the Limited Access Channel. Once the wreckage is cleared, we will sweep the area with sonar, LIDAR and magnetometer, to investigate any high spots, ensuring there’s no hazard to navigation.”
“We are going to be as thorough and disciplined as we have been since the beginning—we owe it to Baltimore and the Port, to turn over a safe navigation channel they can use with the greatest of confidence,” Pinchasin said.
