Following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which resulted in fatalities, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended vulnerability assessments for 68 bridges across 19 states. These bridges, built before 1991, have not undergone recent assessments. This proactive measure aims to evaluate their risk of collapse in vessel collisions. The bridges were categorized as 'critical/essential' or 'typical', with the former signaling its importance. The NTSB aims to prevent future incidents by ensuring bridge owners assess and mitigate risks associated with their structures.
"Had the Key Bridge's owner, the Maryland Transportation Authority, or MDTA, conducted a vulnerability assessment based on recent vessel traffic as recommended by AASHTO, MDTA would have been aware that the Key Bridge was above the acceptable risk and would have had information to proactively reduce the bridge's risk of a collapse and loss of lives associated with the incident."
The NTSB noted that their recommendation does not suggest that the 68 bridges are certain to collapse, but rather those bridge owners evaluate whether the bridges are above the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' acceptable level of risk.
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