More than 600 bridges in Massachusetts are structurally deficient, which does not necessarily mean unsafe.
After a major bridge collapsed in Baltimore, devastating one of the nation’s largest ports, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is convening state leaders to discuss bridge safety protocols for the more than 7,000 bridges in the Commonwealth.
Early Tuesday morning, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which crosses the Port of Baltimore, dramatically collapsed after a cargo ship lost power and struck one of the bridge’s supports. Six people are missing as of Tuesday evening and presumed dead.
Healey said she initially planned to meet with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Tuesday, but he flew back “in the middle of the night” to address the collapse.
“It’s devastating, it’s shocking, we’ve all seen the image now of the immediate collapse on impact,” Healey said about the Francis Scott Key Bridge. “We want to make sure we have the very best protocols in place. Our inspections are up to date, and if we identify any issues, we’re going to address them.”
In response to the “devastating” event, Healey said she would be heading to the State House Tuesday afternoon to meet with representatives