Bridges Under the Microscope: Time for a Safety Check

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was not given a risk assessment before it crumbled after a ship hit it. This was revealed by the National Transportation Safety Board. They said that if Maryland had done this check, they would have seen the bridge was in danger of falling apart if a big ship hit it. This incident was tragic. Six workers died while fixing the bridge at night. The collapse also stopped one of the busiest ports in the U. S. for days. It is a stark reminder that safety checks are not just a formality. They are crucial. Now, the spotlight is on dozens of other bridges across the country. Many of these, including famous ones like the Brooklyn Bridge, have not had the same risk assessment. This means we do not know how safe they are. It is a worrying thought, especially for those who use these bridges every day. The National Transportation Safety Board has urged for risk reviews. This is not just about fixing problems. It is about preventing them. It is about making sure that bridges are safe for everyone who uses them. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a wake-up call. It showed us that we cannot take safety for granted. We need to be proactive. We need to check our bridges. We need to make sure they are safe. It is not just about the bridges. It is about the people who use them. It is about their safety. It is about their lives.