The collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore has closed one of the East Coast’s busiest ports to shipping traffic, delivering a severe blow to the region’s economy.
The underwater wreckage of the steel bridge in the Patapsco River has clogged the only water route into the Port of Baltimore, which handled 11.7 million tons of cargo at its public terminals last year.
The goods arriving and departing from the port each day include coal, vehicles, sugar, coffee and heavy farm equipment. Baltimore ranks first in the nation for handling autos and light trucks.
The port also serves passenger cruise ships.
Each week, massive container and cargo ships can be seen in the Chesapeake Bay, waiting for their turn to enter the port and its 50-foot-deep shipping channel. More than 50 ocean carriers make a total of nearly 1,800 annual visits to Baltimore.
The harbor supports 15,330 direct jobs and another 140,000 jobs indirectly, according to the state of Maryland. It generates more than $395 million in taxes, $2.6 billion in business income and $3.3 billion in total personal income.
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Officials said they don’t know yet how long the port will be closed to shipping traffic.
Trucks can still access the terminals, although the loss of the Interstate 695 bridge also is affecting the flow of traffic in the area.