History of Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Timeline

On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after being struck by the container ship Dali. The ship experienced catastrophic power outages, leading to impaired control and the collision with a bridge pier. The collapse resulted in the death of six members of a maintenance crew who were working on the bridge at the time. One worker was rescued from the river, and an inspector was rescued from the remaining bridge structure.

March 2021: Bridge Inspection

In March 2021, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was inspected according to National Bridge Inspection Standards and found to be in satisfactory condition.

May 2023: Bridge Inspection

In May 2023, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was inspected according to National Bridge Inspection Standards and found to be in satisfactory condition.

2023: Dali inspections

In 2023, the container ship Dali underwent two inspections. In June 2023, a fuel-pressure gauge was repaired in San Antonio, Chile. In September 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard inspected the ship in New York and found no issues.

March 2024: Dali's voyage and engine maintenance

In March 2024, the container ship Dali, crewed by 20 Indian nationals and one Sri Lankan, arrived in Baltimore for engine maintenance after traveling from Panama to New York and then to Portsmouth, Virginia. While docked, an alarm was triggered on the ship's refrigerated containers, likely due to an inconsistent power supply.

March 26, 2024: Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by the container ship Dali, which experienced a catastrophic power outage, causing loss of control. Six maintenance crew members died, one was rescued from the river, and an inspector was rescued from the remaining structure.

May 15, 2024: Crew members remain on Dali

On May 15, 2024, it was reported that the 21 crew members of the Dali, of Indian and Sri Lankan nationality, remained on board, unable to disembark due to visa issues. The FBI confiscated their mobile phones, restricting their communication. Eventually some crew members were allowed to disembark, while others were required to remain in Baltimore.

June 2024: Design and build bids accepted

In June 2024, the Maryland Department of Transportation accepted bids to design and build a replacement bridge, with an estimated cost of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion, and an estimated completion date of fall 2028.

December 2024: Congress approves funding

In December 2024, Congress approved a continuing resolution which included $2 billion in funding for the new bridge.

January 7, 2025: New bridge work start

Work on the new bridge was scheduled to start January 7, 2025, after the approval by Congress of the December 2024 continuing resolution which included $2 billion in funding.

February 4, 2025: Preliminary bridge design unveiled

On February 4, 2025, the Maryland Transportation Authority unveiled a preliminary design for a cable-stayed bridge, Maryland's first. It is to have two travel lanes in each direction, with a 1,600-foot (490 m) main span and 600-foot (180 m) supporting towers.

July 2025: Demolition of the remaining bridge

Demolition of the remaining Francis Scott Key Bridge began in July 2025, with the demolition expected to take nine months.

November 2025: Cost estimates revised upward

In November 2025, the Maryland Transportation Authority revised the cost estimates for the replacement bridge upward, to between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion.

November 18, 2025: NTSB Final Report Released

On November 18, 2025, the NTSB released its final report on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The report determined the probable cause to be a loose signal wire in the ship's electrical control center, leading to blackouts. Recommendations were made for routine thermal imaging and updated documentation for terminal blocks.

2026: Initial Court Date Set

The initial court date of June 1st, 2026 has been set for the case regarding the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The legal process could last up to a decade and has been described as likely being "one of the most contentious marine insurance cases in recent decades".