Back in 2007, a container ship measuring 900 feet collided with the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Fortunately, the bridge remained intact, and no casualties were reported on either the ship or the highway above. The bridge was equipped with a fendering system made of concrete and other materials designed to absorb such impacts. This incident sparked a debate on whether similar systems could have prevented the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
According to some experts, the answer is yes.
Professor Sherif El-Tawil from the University of Michigan believes that several safety measures could have made a significant difference in preventing the collapse caused by a cargo ship collision on Tuesday morning. He suggested that a fendering system could have softened the impact of the 985-foot-long ship. The use of pilings known as dolphins and islands of rocks or concrete near the bridge’s supports are other protective measures that could have helped.
El-Tawil stated, “It may seem like a very large force, but I think you can design around it, either through a protective system or by designing the bridge itself to have massive towers.”
The lack of these protective measures on the 47-year-old Key Bridge, coupled with the tragic loss of six construction workers, has brought the importance of such safeguards into the spotlight. The incident has sparked discussions on the willingness of American taxpayers to invest in preventing rare but devastating events. However, opinions vary on whether the Key Bridge could have been saved.
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the collision during a White House briefing, highlighting the severity of such incidents. He refrained from directly commenting on the need for enhanced bridge protection but acknowledged that advances have been made in designing bridges to withstand collisions since the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster in 1980.
The Key Bridge, which was constructed in 1977, predates the shift in design philosophy prompted by the Skyway Bridge incident, which led to the incorporation of protective features like rock islands and large cylindrical piers. Mark Luther, a professor at the University of South Florida, emphasized the significant obstacle to retrofitting older bridges with modern safety measures, citing the high costs involved.
Professor Roberto Leon from Virginia Tech acknowledged the availability of technology to safeguard bridges from ship collisions, like the one involving the Dali. However, he pointed out that governments must balance costs and risks when implementing such protections. Even with modern safety features, the scale of the disaster caused by the cargo ship colliding with the Key Bridge may have exceeded the protective capacity.
Leon emphasized, “If the protection system had been designed for that load, I think it would have protected the bridge. But a big question is: Would you design it for such an enormous load? Because as the load increases, it becomes much more expensive.”
The tragic incident has brought to light the need for a reevaluation of bridge safety measures and the challenges associated with retrofitting older structures to meet modern standards. As advancements in technology continue to evolve, finding a balance between cost-effective solutions and comprehensive protection remains a critical consideration for ensuring the structural integrity of vital infrastructure.
