Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore — Key Facts

The bridge no more! It collapsed on March 26, 2024 after being hit by a cargo ship. Who built this bridge? When was it built? Why the bridge was constructed in the first place? What ship collided with the bridge?

Let’s find out…

Photo by Larry Syverson on Flickr

Here are the facts:

• Construction of the bridge began in 1972 and was completed in 1977.
• The Francis Scott Key Bridge wasn’t designed by a single architect, but by an engineering firm. The firm responsible for the design was Parsons Brinckerhoff.
• The bridge was a public works project, funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). State and federal transportation funds were used for its construction.
• It was named after the author of the US national anthem, Francis Scott Key. After a century of general use, The Star-Spangled Banner was officially adopted as the national anthem by an act of Congress in 1931. Francis Scott Key wrote words for the anthem.
• The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore traversed the Patapsco River.
• The bridge included four lanes.
• It extended 1.6 miles across Baltimore Harbor as part of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695).
• It had 185 feet (56 meters) of vertical…