Executive Summary
- The NTSB is holding a hearing to establish the probable cause of the March 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, which killed six people.
- Investigators have pointed to a loose wire as the reason for the power failure on the cargo ship Dali prior to the collision.
- The estimated cost to replace the bridge has risen to between $4.3 and $5.2 billion, with a new completion target of late 2030.
- The FBI is conducting a separate criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bridge collapse.
WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding a hearing to determine the probable cause of the March 2024 Baltimore bridge collapse, with staff identifying a loose wire as a key factor in the power failure aboard the cargo ship Dali. The incident resulted in the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the deaths of six construction workers.
During a hearing on Tuesday, NTSB staff recommended that vessel operators complete periodic inspections of high-voltage switchboards. They also proposed changes that would allow ships to recover from a power loss more quickly. Investigators have previously noted that the Dali experienced several electrical power blackouts, including during in-port maintenance and moments before it struck the bridge.
The board said the Dali’s power was lost approximately four minutes before impact when electrical breakers unexpectedly tripped. This caused a loss of power to all shipboard lighting and most equipment when it was about 0.6 miles from the bridge. The incident has prompted a broader review of infrastructure safety, with the NTSB calling for urgent assessments of 68 other major U.S. bridges built before 1991.
State officials announced on Monday that the estimated cost to replace the bridge has increased significantly, now projected to be between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, a substantial rise from the initial $1.7 to $1.9 billion estimate. The completion date has also been pushed back to late 2030, with officials citing the need for a new pier protection system and a longer, higher design as reasons for the increased costs and extended timeline.
A separate criminal probe into the collapse is being conducted by the FBI. It is important to note that all individuals and entities are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.