Baltimore Bridge Collapses Updates: According to the Maryland Transport Authority (MTA), the 1.6-mile-long Francis Scott Key Bridge connects the Patapsco River and the Port of Baltimore.
The bridge, which opened in 1977, was named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” according to the MTA’s website.
Francis Scott Key is thought to have sat on the bridge and seen the bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814, which inspired him to pen the words of the US national anthem.
Last year, the Port of Baltimore handled more than 52 million tons of foreign cargo valued at more than $80 billion, ranking ninth among US ports, according to the Maryland government’s website.
Francis Scott Key bridge hit by ship (Baltimore Bridge Collapses) (Updates)
According to the website, the port employs 15,330 people directly and 139,180 in Maryland.