WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday urged owners of 68 aging bridges in 19 states to conduct immediate risk assessments following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was struck by a cargo ship last year.
The NTSB said the Key Bridge had a collapse risk nearly 30 times higher than the acceptable threshold set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), revealing significant safety gaps in older bridges designed before current guidance was adopted.
Key Points
- NTSB recommends risk assessments for 68 older bridges lacking modern collapse evaluations.
- Three New Jersey bridges identified: Commodore Barry, Vincent R. Casciano, and Outerbridge Crossing.
- AASHTO’s Method II used to calculate ship collision risk and determine need for safety upgrades.
As part of its ongoing investigation into the March 26, 2024, collapse, the agency identified 68 similar bridges that lack modern vulnerability assessments. It recommended that 30 owners of these structures use AASHTO’s Method II calculation to determine the annual frequency of potential collapse.
“These bridges need to be evaluated to see whether their collapse risk exceeds the acceptable level,” the NTSB stated. “If so, a risk reduction plan should be implemented.”…