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Access expanded to Port of Baltimore as crews continue to work

Crews expanded the Port of Baltimore limited access channel to a width of 400 feet and depth of 50 feet on May 20.

BALTIMORE — Larger ships can now go in and out of the Port of Baltimore after a limited access channel opened on Monday. The channel is currently open to a width of 400 feet and a depth of 50 feet, allowing deep-draft commercial vessels to pass through. 

The Dali cargo ship was refloated one week after officials say precision cutting was used to remove a section of steel that was pinning it down. As soon as it was refloated and removed, crews began the work of removing wreckage from the channel.

“We are proud of the unified efforts that have partially reopened the federal channel to port operations,” said Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, commanding general of USACE.

Crews continue to clear wreckage from the riverbed in order to restore the channel to its original 700-foot width and 50-foot depth. The work incudes digging out the bottom cord of the remaining truss and cutting it into three sections to safely lift the wreckage. 

“We are not taking our foot off the gas,” said Col. Estee S. Pinchasin, USACE, Baltimore District commander. “We are pushing forward as quickly and safely as possible to reach 700 feet and ensuring we remove all wreckage to prevent any impact to future navigation.”

Officials say one-third of the truss can be seen above the water. It is estimated the work to restore the channel will be complete between June 8-10. 

“This effort is more complex than initially estimated,” Pinchasin said. “Salvage crews must dig out the bottom cord of this truss to access the areas needing to be cut.”

The goal remains to restore full operations to the channel as quickly and safely as possible. 

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