Key Bridge Collapse: Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Considerations

On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed due to a cargo ship colliding with a bridge support tower. The collapse caused loss of life and disrupted numerous critical distribution functions associated with the Port of Baltimore and severed a major highway artery.

Media reports suggested that factors contributing to the collapse included absence of adequate protection for bridge supports from shipping collision impacts and the bridge design, which made the entire structure vulnerable to the loss of a single support.