Italian Company Offers to Rebuild Baltimore Bridge After Tragic Collapse
WeBuild Group, the Italian company renowned for its role in reconstructing the Genoa bridge after its catastrophic collapse in 2018, has extended a helping hand to Baltimore. The company announced its readiness to undertake the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which suffered a similar fate in late March after a cargo ship collided with one of its pillars, resulting in the loss of six construction workers.
In a press release, WeBuild Group revealed that it had submitted preliminary design and plans to US officials for the bridge’s reconstruction. The proposed design aims to enhance safety by widening ship channels and implementing other precautionary measures.
Carlo Ratti, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology involved in developing the proposal, emphasized the design’s capacity to mitigate the risk of another tragedy akin to the March 26 incident.
The Morandi bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy, prompted swift action from WeBuild Group and other firms to erect the Genoa San Giorgio bridge within 15 months, replacing the collapsed structure by 2020. The project, costing €290 million ($312 million), included the demolition expenses of the previous bridge.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) anticipates releasing formal invitations for proposals to rebuild the Key Bridge by the end of May. Responsible for financing revenue-generating transportation projects in the state, the MDTA aims to swiftly address the critical infrastructure damage.
The collapse of the Key Bridge, a vital traffic artery leading to the Port of Baltimore, disrupted port operations and impacted the flow of goods. President Joe Biden has pledged the federal government’s full support in the recovery efforts, assuring that the government will cover the entire cost of the bridge’s reconstruction, emphasizing the urgency to reopen the port and restore essential transportation links.
