Gov. Henry McMaster Addresses Potential Impacts of Baltimore Bridge Collapse on South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Following the devastating collapse of a significant bridge in Baltimore, Governor Henry McMaster has come forward to clarify how this incident could impact South Carolina.
The Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
In the early hours of Tuesday, a large container ship crashed into a supporting pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The impact resulted in the entire bridge sinking into the water moments later.
Emerging Consequences of The Incident
Addressing the issue from the State House following a press conference, McMaster spoke on the potential increased traffic on South Carolina’s roadways due to the interruption in Baltimore.
Baltimore Port being one of the largest in the United States plays a significant role in the country’s trade. The incident has led to the temporary closure of the port, causing companies and ocean carriers to reroute thousands of containers to other ports, including those in South Carolina.
The governor added that the Baltimore Port is a prime location for both import and export activities, particularly for cars and agricultural products. As a result, some detours will be directed towards Charleston Port.
Baltimore Port’s Shutdown: Significant Impacts for South Carolina
“We can anticipate an influx of ships into the harbor which will signify more traffic on the roads to unload and load. This situation is most likely to occur, and I urge everyone to be patient given the tragic incident in Maryland,” said McMaster.
South Carolina Prepares for The Change
The South Carolina Port Authority issued a statement following inquiries about any impending changes due to the situation in Baltimore. “The South Carolina Department of Transportation, South Carolina Ports and Charleston Branch Pilots Association have initiated discussions regarding the incident, and we plan to jointly review harbor operations, state infrastructure, and procedures.”
Assistance Offered to Baltimore
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) confirmed that its director, Kim Stenson, has reached out to the Maryland Emergency Management Secretary offering support. In a post shared by McMaster, he quoted, “South Carolina is prepared to assist Maryland following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.”
A Tragic Global Trend
This incident joins the unfortunate list of major bridge collapses across the world due to ship or barge related collisions. From 1960 to 2015, there have 35 such incidences globally. Regardless, South Carolina is ready to navigate through the challenges posed by this calamity.
The governor concluded by urging citizens to keep the victims and their families in prayers and assured that the Department of Transportation was prepared for increased harbor and road usage.
