In the aftermath of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, recovery efforts are in full swing as authorities work tirelessly to salvage the wreckage and restore access to the Port of Baltimore. Four bodies have been recovered from the debris, while over 1,300 tons of steel have been salvaged from the river so far.

The bridge collapse occurred on March 26 when a malfunctioning cargo ship, named the Dali, struck the support column of the bridge, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River below. The impact sent eight construction workers into the water, resulting in the loss of six lives. The remaining two workers are still missing, and recovery efforts are ongoing to locate them amidst the wreckage.

To investigate the incident, both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched separate investigations. Baltimore City has also filed a lawsuit against the owners and managers of the cargo ship, alleging negligence in allowing the vessel to leave the port with known power problems.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is leading the salvage operation, with the primary focus of clearing the main channel through the river to restore full access to the Port of Baltimore. Enormous floating cranes are being used to remove the wreckage and debris, while engineers are breaking down the mangled bridge into smaller pieces for removal. Navy sonar images have revealed additional wreckage at the deepest part of the channel, posing further challenges for the salvage team.

Progress has been made, with three temporary channels now open to allow limited vessel traffic to and from the port. The opening of the northeast side channel on Saturday has enabled approximately 15 percent of the pre-collapse vessel traffic to pass through. However, access to the port remains restricted, and a phased approach is being implemented to fully reopen the river's main channel, spanning 700 feet, by the end of May.

The Dali, still pinned under tons of steel at the crash site, requires the removal of additional shipping containers to facilitate its refloating. A total of 120 containers have already been removed, and engineers aim to remove 140 containers in total.

Efforts are also underway to support the individuals affected by the collapse, including the thousands of workers impacted by the closure of the port. Support programs have been initiated, and the government has provided federal grants to assist dislocated workers and allocated funds for infrastructure improvements at Sparrows Point, the only port unaffected by the collapse.

Furthermore, the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Employment Development is administering the Port Business Wage Subsidy program, offering $1 million in wage subsidies to help affected businesses at the port sustain their employees. The United Way of Central Maryland has partnered with WJZ to establish the Bridging the Gap Fund, which aims to provide support for eviction prevention and food access.

As the recovery efforts continue, it is hoped that the investigation results will shed light on the cause of the bridge collapse, ensuring accountability and preventing similar incidents in the future. The tragedy has not only affected the families of the victims and the workers but has also had a significant impact on the local economy and the wider Baltimore community.

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