[ somber piano music ] >> Radio Transmission: 213 DISPATCH.

THE WHOLE BRIDGE JUST FELL DOWN, THE WHOLE BRIDGE JUST COLLAPSED.

>> Radio Transmission: DISPATCH THE DIVE UNIT ON THIS CALL, ALERT THE DIVE TEAM.

>> Radio Transmission: WHAT APPEARS TO BE A VEHICLE IN THE WATER WITH FLASHING GREEN AND ORANGE LIGHTS.

>> THE KEY BRIDGE IS GONE.

IT'S AN AMAZING THING TO SAY, IT'S AN AMAZING SIGHT TO SEE.

AS MANY AS 7 VEHICLES OR 7 PEOPLE COULD BE IN THE WATER.

WE KNOW THAT THE COAST GUARD IS INVOLVED THE DIVE TEAM IS INVOLVED.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE AGENCIES ON THEIR WAY HERE TO THE SCENE.

>> Gov.

Moore: THIS IS STILL VERY MUCH AN ACTIVE SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION.

AND THERE IS NOT A SINGLE RESOURCE THAT WE WILL HOLD OFF ON DEPLOYING.

>> I THINK WE ALL KNOW THIS IS AN UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY.

RIGHT NOW THIS IS ABOUT THE LIVES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE ARE SEARCHING FOR, AND NOTHING ELSE.

>> THIS IS NO ORDINARY BRIDGE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE CATHEDRALS OF AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT HAS BEEN PART OF THE SKYLINE OF THIS REGION LONGER THAN MANY OF US HAVE BEEN ALIVE.

>> Pres.

Biden: YOUR NATION HAS YOUR BACK, AND I MEAN IT.

THIS PORT IS OLDER THAN OUR REPUBLIC AND HAS BEEN THROUGH TOUGH, TOUGH, TIMES BEFORE.

>> Jeff: BALTIMORE'S WATERWAYS HAVE SEEN A LOT IN THE NEARLY 250 YEARS SINCE AMERICA WAS FOUNDED.

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY WAS INSPIRED TO WRITE THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER WHILE WATCHING THE ROCKETS RED GLARE FROM A SHIP NEAR FORT McHENRY AS THE BRITISH ATTACKED BALTIMORE DURING THE WAR OF 1812.

IN 1977, A BRIDGE NAMED IN KEY'S HONOR KNITTED LOCAL COMMUNITIES TOGETHER AND HELPED MOVED GOODS ALONG THE EAST COAST HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

BUT ON MARCH 26, 2024, THIS WAS THE SITE OF THE ONE OF THE LARGEST MARITIME DISASTERS OUR NATION HAS EVER SEEN.

>> THE FRACTURED REMAINS OF THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE STAND AS A STARK REMINDER OF THE TRAGEDY THAT TOOK PLACE WHEN A CARGO SHIP NAMED THE DALI CRASHED INTO IT.

THE BRIDGE COLLAPSED, KILLING SIX PEOPLE.

AND THERE WAS A DOMINO EFFECT ON OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

I'M DEBORAH WEINER OF WBAL-TV 11 >> Jeff: AND I'M JEFF SALKIN OF MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THIS FILM TELLS THE STORY OF THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TOGETHER DURING BALTIMORE'S MOMENT OF CRISIS AND CONTINUE TO PLAY A ROLE IN THE REGION'S RECOVERY.

>> AROUND MIDNIGHT ON THE KEY BRIDGE'S SOUTHBOUND LANES - A ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKER AND ONE INSPECTOR WERE HARD AT WORK.

>> Jeff: MEANWHILE AT THE PORT OF BALTIMORE'S SEAGIRT MARINE TERMINAL, CREWS WERE LOADING CARGO CONTAINERS ON THE DALI TO BE SHIPPED OUT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.

>> SCOTT AMBROSE, I WORK FOR THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

I'VE BEEN A LONGSHOREMAN SINCE 2010.

I WAS WORKING ONE OF CRANES ON THE END OF THE PIER AT SEAGIRT ON THE DALI.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS CRANE 14.

AND WE FINISHED OUR WORKLOAD FOR THAT SECTION OF THE SHIP ROUGHLY ABOUT 11:00 P.M. >> Jeff: JUST HOURS AFTER SCOTT AMBROSE LEFT THE PORT, THE SHIP ISSUED A DISTRESS CALL AS IT HEADED TOWARD THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE.

>> Radio Transmission: HOLD ALL TRAFFIC ON THE KEY BRIDGE, AH, THERE'S A SHIP APPROACHING THAT JUST LOST THEIR STEERING, SO UNTIL THEY CAN GET THAT UNDER CONTROL WE'VE GOT TO STOP ALL TRAFFIC.

>> THE MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY MOVED SWIFTLY TO GET TRAFFIC OFF OF THE BRIDGE.

>> Radio Transmission: 10-4.

IS THERE A CREW WORKING ON THE BRIDGE RIGHT NOW?

>> TIME WAS NOT ON THEIR SIDE.

THE MASSIVE SHIP STRUCK PIER 17 CAUSING THE BRIDGE TO COLLAPSE INTO THE PATAPSCO RIVER.

>> YOU HAVE THE KEY BRIDGE BEING STRUCK BY A LARGE, UH, CONTAINER VESSEL.

KEY BRIDGE IS DOWN, IT WAS LAST REPORTED AT LEAST SEVERAL VEHICLES IN THE WATER, WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR.

>> SEVEN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WERE ON THE BRIDGE AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT.

ONE OF THE MEN WAS RESCUED FROM THE WATER SHORTLY AFTER THE BRIDGE FELL.

>> Jeff: FIRST RESPONDERS FROM ALL OVER THE REGION WERE ON THE SCENE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS.

>> I'M ON THE STARBOARD SIDE OF THE VESSEL AT THE MOMENT, SIR.

MY PHONE RANG AT 2:02 IN THE MORNING, AND I'VE COME TO LEARN N THAT WHEN MY PHONE RINGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, I'M NEVER ABOUT TO GET GOOD NEWS.

>> SO YOU'RE AT HOME.

YOU HAVE A THREE-MONTH OLD AT THE TIME, CORRECT?

>>HE WENT TO SLEEP AROUND, I THINK AROUND 1, 1:10 AM.

AND AS SOON AS I HIT THE BED MY PHONE'S RINGING AND IT'S CHIEF WALLACE.

AND I'LL NEVER FORGET IT.

HE SAID "SIR, THE KEY BRIDGE IS GONE."

AND I SAID "REPEAT THAT?"

AND HE SAID "IT'S GONE.

A CONTAINER SHIP HIT IT.

IT'S IN THE WATER."

NORMALLY WHEN YOU'RE COMING ACROSS 95, 895, YOU CAN LOOK AND SEE IT.

I COULD LOOK AND SEE THAT THERE WAS JUST THIS BIG BLACK HOLE DOWN THERE.

BUT NOTHING WOULD PREPARE ME FOR ME GETTING OUT THERE AND WALKING ON THAT WATER AND SEEING AND HEARING, LIKE, JUST, THIS DARK SILENCE OF WHERE THERE WOULD NORMALLY BE A LOT OF NOISE.

>> THERE WERE STILL SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE ANSWERS TO.

THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ABOUT TO WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A JOB ANYMORE, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ABOUT TO WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT THE ROUTE THAT THEY TOOK TO GET TO THEIR JOB WAS NOW GONE.

THE AMOUNT OF FAMILIES THAT WERE ABOUT TO GET PHONE CALLS, WITH NEWS THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US WOULD DREAD TO EVER GET.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY THAT REALLY HIT ME, WERE THE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT WERE ALREADY ON THE SCENE.

IT WAS THE CHOPPERS THAT WERE PROVIDING LIGHT AND AIR COVER.

IT WAS THE DIVERS THAT WERE ALREADY IN THE WATER, LOOKING INTO AND WORKING TO, TO SAVE LIVES.

>> MY NAME IS CHRIS REYNOLDS.

I AM THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATER AND DIVE DIVISION OF THE MIDDLE RIVER VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE COMPANY IN BALTIMORE COUNTY MARYLAND.

WE HAVE OUR TEAM WHICH SPECIALIZES SPECIFICALLY IN UNDERWATER, SO DIVING, SCUBA DIVING.

WE ARE 100% VOLUNTEER.

MOST FIREFIGHTERS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE VOLUNTEERS.

SO I GREW UP WITH A VIEW OF THE KEY BRIDGE, IT'S BEEN IN THE BACKDROP OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.

AT 1:48 IN THE MORNING, I GET A CALL FROM MY ONE LIEUTENANT.

"HEY, CHRIS, A CRUISE SHIP JUST HIT THE KEY BRIDGE AND IT'S IN THE WATER."

WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE IT WAS A CONTAINER SHIP.

BUT IN THE MOMENT OF PEOPLE CALLING 911, PEOPLE CALL IT WHAT THEY THINK IT IS.

>> MY NAME IS GREG WOLFF.

I'M JUNIOR DIVE TEAM HERE AT MIDDLE RIVER'S BALTIMORE COUNTY'S FIRE DEPARTMENT.

(SIRENS) WHY AM I A FIREFIGHTER?

THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

I HAVE SOME FAMILY LEGACY IN IT.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A FIREFIGHTER IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON LONG ISLAND.

SO WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SERVICE I SORT OF FOLLOWED SUIT AFTER HIS AMBITIONS AND HIS CALL TO SERVICE AND DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED MYSELF.

TO DO THIS SORT OF ACTIVITY, EVEN ON MY OFF TIME IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE, TAKING AN EMPATHETIC LOOK, IF IT WERE ME, I WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO COME AND, YOU KNOW, IF I CAN DO IT, WHY NOT?

WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW A LITTLE BIT OF BOYLE'S LAW, SOME OF THE PHYSICS INVOLVED IN DIVING• DIVING BEING MY PASSION, I LOOKED INTO GETTING INTO PUBLIC SAFETY DIVING AND JOINED MIDDLE RIVER.

BEING A TRANSPLANT FROM OUT OF STATE, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE KEY BRIDGE WAS, IF I'M BEING HONEST.

UP UNTIL THAT DAY, YOU KNOW, I HAD SEEN IT AND DRIVEN OVER IT, BUT I NEVER REALLY PAID TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO IT.

>> ONE OF OUR MEMBERS HERE, WHO WAS THE FIRE AND RESCUE CAPTAIN, USED TO WORK AT THE KEY BRIDGE, HE'S LIKE 'THERE'S A HUGE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINE THAT'S STILL GOT ENERGY TO IT, WE NEED TO GET THAT CUT OFF BEFORE WE REALLY COMMIT SOMEONE TO BEING UNDERWATER.

>> Jeff: WHEN THE TEAM ARRIVED ON SITE, WOLFF FOUND THAT POTENTIAL ELECTROCUTION WAS ONLY ONE OF MANY DANGEROUS COMPLICATIONS .

>> ANOTHER ONE WAS THE STABILITY OF THE BRIDGE ITSELF, BECAUSE THE TIDES MOVING IN AND OUT WERE LIFTING THE CARGO SHIP UP AND DOWN.

THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THE REST OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE BRIDGE UNSTABLE.

>> BUT IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO IN THE WATER - THEY NEEDED A MAP OF SORTS.

AND THEY GOT IT WITH HELP FROM THE COAST GUARD.

>> BOATSWAIN'S MATE SECOND CLASS SETH KOWSKY.

I WAS ACTUALLY ON DUTY HERE WHEN I RECEIVED THE CALL.

AND THEY HAD SAID THAT A BOAT HAD STRUCK THE BRIDGE.

AT FIRST I KINDA DIDN'T BELIEVE WHAT THEY WERE TELLING I'M US WHAT THEY WERE TELLING US OVER THE PHONE.

P SO WE GOT THE FIRST CREW UNDERWAY - IT'S LIKE A FIVE MINUTE BOAT RIDE DOWN THE CREEK HERE AND TYPICALLY AT NIGHT WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS STILL UP YOU COULD SEE THE LIGHTS ON IT BECAUSE IT WAS LIT AT NIGHT, AND AS SOON AS THEY TURNED THAT CORNER I WAS LIKE "IF YOU DON'T SEE LIGHTS CALL ME."

FIVE MINUTES LATER THEY GOT DOWN THE CREEK AND THEY CALLED ME AND THEY WERE LIKE "HEY THE BRIDGE IS IN THE WATER."

I GO OK. >> WE WERE LOOKING TO CONFIRM TARGETS OF WHETHER THEY WERE VEHICLES THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE IN THOSE VEHICLES.

WE MAY HAVE HAD ABOUT 6 TO 10 INCHES OF VISIBILITY.

>> OUR ASSIGNMENT OFF THE BAT WAS JUST DOING SCANS BACK AND FORTH TO THE BRIDGE.

WAS JUST DOING SCANS BACK AND >> KOWSKY AND HIS CREW USED SONAR EQUIPMENT BECAUSE NO ONE KNEW WHAT HAZARDS LURKED BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE MURKY WATER.

>> THEY SHOWED US A PICTURE OF THE SIDE SCAN SONAR OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT.

AND IT WAS TWO IMAGES, AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK AND A TRAILER.

AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WANTED MYSELF AND MY BACKUP DIVER COLE TO GO AND VERIFY THAT TARGET.

AND SO WHEN I DROPPED INTO THE WATER AND DESCENDED, I LANDED ON THIS GENERATOR LIGHT THAT YOU SEE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION SITES BEING TOWED BY TRUCKS.

THE ASPHALT, THE BRIDGE ITSELF, THE STEEL GIRDERS THAT SUPPORTED THE STRUCTURE.

ALL OF THOSE WERE FACTORS IN WHAT WE HAD TO CONTEND WITH AS OUR DIVERS MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH SEARCHING FOR POTENTIAL VICTIMS, AND WHERE THEY MAY HAVE BEEN.

>> HEROIC IS THE ONLY WORD THAT YOU CAN DESCRIBE, RIGHT?

WHEN YOU'RE, RISKING YOUR LIFE.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT IN THAT INITIAL DIVE OF THOSE FOLKS, THEY WERE DIVING AND THERE WAS METAL, THOSE PIECES OF METAL YOU SAW STICKING OUT OF THE WATER WERE IN THE WATER AS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE.

THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS COMING OUT OF THIS TRAGEDY.

>> "TODAY WE'RE JUST DOING A REALLY STRAIGHT FORWARD RIP DRILL" >> Jeff: TRAINING PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN KEEPING EMERGENCY DIVERS SAFE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BECOME ADDITIONAL CASUALTIES THAT WOULD FURTHER COMPLICATE THE OPERATION.

MIDDLE RIVER LET US FILM ONE OF THEIR PRACTICE DRILLS.

>> THIS IS WHERE KNOWLEDGE LIKE GREG HAS IS INVALUABLE.

HE'S SUCH AN AVID SCUBA DIVER AND AN INSTRUCTOR THAT HE IMPARTS THAT INFORMATION.

HE REALLY HELPS PLAN OUR DIVES OUT.

INITIATING SEARCH.

>> LET ME MOW IF YOU FIND ANYTHING.

>> A LOT OF WHAT WE FOCUS ON IN TRAINING IS PROBLEM SOLVING UNDER WATER.

I SEEM TO BE CAUGHT ON SOMETHING.

>> YOU SEEM TO BE CAUGHT ON SOMETHING.

>> YEP >> MAYDAY.

MAYDAY.

MAYDAY, I AM CAUGHT.

>> JUSTIN, FIND HIS LINE.

>> THE DIVERS GET ALL THE GLORY.

RIGHT.

BUT OUR DIVE SUPPORT TEAM ARE REALLY OUR UNSUNG HEROES.

THEY SEE WHERE WE'RE AT FROM THE SURFACE.

THEY CAN FOLLOW OUR BUBBLES.

THEY KNOW THE TARGET THEY WANT US TO GO TOWARDS.

THEY'RE ABLE TO SAY, I NEED YOU TO SWIM A LITTLE BIT TO YOUR LEFT, AND YOU TO SWIM A LITTLE BIT TO YOUR RIGHT.

THE BIGGEST FACTOR FOR CONFUSION, AS FAR AS THE DIVERS PERSPECTIVE, IS THE INABILITY TO SEE, BECAUSE THE LACK OF VISIBILITY MESSES WITH YOUR PERCEPTION OF DIRECTION, WE USE A GUIDELINE OR A TENDER LINE ATTACHED TO THE DIVER THAT DOUBLES AS OUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TO USE THAT AS A NAVIGATIONAL TOOL.

>> WE DIVE BY OURSELVES BECAUSE WE'RE DIVING INTO A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

THERE'S A LOT OF BACKUPS BUILT IN.

WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT PLAN B AND C AND D. >> REYNOLDS AND MORE THAN 20 MEMBERS OF HIS TEAM SPENT ABOUT 20 HOURS IN AND OUT THE FRIGID WATERS THAT DAY.

THE EXPERIENCE LEFT HIM WITH VIVID NEW MEMORIES THAT ARE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT FROM HIS EARLIER ONES.

>> IT ALWAYS LOOKED MASSIVE.

THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT BRIDGE WAS INSIGNIFICANT IN MY LIFETIME.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT IT FELT SMALL.

>> REYNOLDS WANTS TO MAKE NEW POSITIVE MEMORIES AHEAD AS HIS FAMILY TRADITION OF VOLUNTEER PUBLIC SERVICE CONTINUES.

>> MY DAD IS STILL A VOLUNTEER, HE'S ACTUALLY A MEMBER OF THIS COMPANY.

MY SON IS VERY EAGER TO JOIN.

HE IS DOWN HERE QUITE A BIT WITH ME.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT HAVING A FOURTH GENERATION FIREFIGHTER OUT OF MY SON GEORGE.

IT DOES LOOK DIFFERENT WITHOUT THE SECURITY PERIMETER TOO.

>> Jeff: ANOTHER FIRST RESPONDER TO THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE IS ALSO FOLLOWING A FAMILY TRADITION - HIS FATHER HAD BEEN THE CAPTAIN OF VESSEL HE NOW COMMANDS.

>> MY NAME IS JACOB TUER AND I AM THE ACTING CAPTAIN OF THE BALTIMORE DISTRICT SURVEY VESSEL CATLETT FOR THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

I GREW UP IN CECIL COUNTY ON THE WATER.

I HAD BEEN ON THE CATLETT PREVIOUSLY TO WORKING HERE.

I HAD GONE IN WITH MY DAD TO, LIKE, BRING YOUR KID TO WORK DAY >> Jeff: THE CATLETT IS ONE OF VESSELS THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS USES AS PART OF THE AGENCY'S ROLE ENSURING THE CLEAR NAVIGATION OF AMERICA'S SHIPPING CHANNELS, INCLUDING THE FORT McHENRY CHANNEL THAT RAN UNDER THE KEY BRIDGE.

THE CREW USES SONAR TO MAP THE DEPTH OF THE WATERWAY.

>> I FOUND OUT THAT THE KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSED VIA TEXT I WAS ON MY WAY INTO HERE, I HAD WOKEN UP A LITTLE BIT EARLY AND DECIDED I'D GET AN EARLY START ON MY DAY.

I WAS KINDA IN DISBELIEF AT WHAT MY EYES WERE SHOWING ME.

SEEING IT WAS A CONTAINER SHIP MY MIND WAS IMMEDIATELY LOOKING AND WE DID FIND SOME.

>> I'M COMMANDER ROBERTO CONCEPCION OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD.

I'M THE CHIEF OF RESPONSE HERE AT SECTOR MARYLAND NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION.

AND I WAS ALSO ONE OF THE OPERATIONS SECTION CHIEFS DURING THE KEY BRIDGE RESPONSE.

I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE.

WHETHER THAT'S, RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS AND HELPING TO SAVE LIVES.

I THINK THE CALLING TO SAVE LIVES IS WHAT REALLY BROUGHT ME INTO THE COAST GUARD.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN TO FLORIDA WITH MY FAMILY, ON VACATION, AND I GOT THE CALL AT ABOUT 2:00 IN THE MORNING FROM OUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF STATION CURTIS BAY THAT THE KEY BRIDGE HAD BEEN STRUCK BY THE VESSEL DALI.

THE FIRST THINGS THAT ARE IN OUR HEAD IS, YOU KNOW, THE SHIPPING CHANNEL THERE SHIPS CAN'T COME IN AND OUT, THEN YOU GOT JOBS AT STAKE.

YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO BE AFFECTED.

THERE'S MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF COMMERCE THAT COMES IN AND OUT OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

SO THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT.

HOW CAN WE GET THIS PORT BACK UP AND RUNNING AND GET THIS OBSTRUCTION OUT OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL?

>> IF YOU BOUGHT A CAR IN THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IT PROBABLY CAME THROUGH THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

ALL THE FARM EQUIPMENT AND THINGS, WE'RE NUMBER ONE FOR ROLL ON, ROLL OFF.

IT CAME THROUGH THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

SO THAT PORT BEING SHUT DOWN DIDN'T JUST IMPACT BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, ANNE ARUNDAL COUNTY AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

IT IMPACTED THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD.

THIS IS ABOUT THE ECONOMIES AND THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY NEEDS.

>> THE PORT OF BALTIMORE IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR MARYLAND AND A LARGE SOURCE OF MANY OF THE STATE'S BLUE - COLLAR JOBS.

THE SHIPS, CRANES, AND TRUCKS ARE ALL PART OF THE BALLET MOVING GOODS ON AND OFF SHIPS, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

LONGSHOREMAN ARE FRONT AND CENTER.

>> MY NAME IS WENDELL SUPREME SHANNON.

ARTIST AND LONGSHOREMAN.

I'M A SECOND GENERATION LONGSHOREMAN.

I DO A VARIETY OF OPERATIONS.

EVERYTHING FROM DRIVING TRUCKS TO MOVING EQUIPMENT, HEAVY MACHINERY, BULLDOZERS.

YOU NAME IT.

THAT EVENING WAS LIKE ANY OTHER DAY FOR ME.

I WAS WORKING A SEPARATE SHIP IN THE DUNDALK MARINE TERMINAL.

WENT HOME AROUND MIDNIGHT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DID WAKING UP AROUND 4: 30 IN THE MORNING WAS CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA FOR NEWS.

AND I KEPT SEEING POST AFTER POST REFERENCING THE KEY BRIDGE.

I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO FIND A SOLUTION, TO PROVIDING FOR MY FAMILY.

I MEAN, IF NO SHIPS COME IN, THEN I'M OUT OF A JOB.

>> HIS FELLOW LONGSHOREMAN SCOTT AMBROSE HAD LEFT THE DALI AND WAS BACK AT HOME.

>> I GOT ON MY COMPUTER, AND IT WAS A NICE NIGHT.

REALLY NICE.

COOL NIGHT.

OPENED UP THE WINDOW.

I REMEMBER HAVING MY FEET UP ON THE TABLE BY THE WINDOW AND THE CAT'S SITTING THERE.

MY WHOLE HOUSE STARTED SHAKING AND I HEARD THUNDER AND GRINDING, WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE BIGGEST FORK YOU COULD IMAGINE IN THE BIGGEST GARBAGE DISPOSAL JUST CHURNING AWAY.

MY HOUSE SHOOK - THE CAT FLEW INTO THE AIR WHEN ALL THAT HAPPENED AND TOOK OFF.

I ACTUALLY CLIMBED THROUGH MY WINDOW BECAUSE WHERE I'M SITUATED, THE BACK OF MY HOUSE FACES DIRECTLY AT THE KEY BRIDGE, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY JUST UNDER A MILE AWAY I'M LOOKING FOR FIRE IN THE SKY OR LIGHTS OR SIRENS.

IT'S SO QUIET.

IT'S DEAD SILENT.

THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON.

I THOUGHT MAYBE THE GAS SILOS OVER IN CURTIS BAY, FAIRFIELD, MIGHT HAVE BLOWN UP OR SOMETHING.

SO I PUT MY SHOES ON AND JUST WALKED DOWN THE SHORELINE.

AND SURE ENOUGH, IT'S GONE.

AND THEN I WAS LIKE.

I JUST LOST MY JOB.

I JUST COMPLETELY LOST MY JOB.

>> MY NAME IS RYAN ROBERSON, OWNER OF ROBEE TRUCKING AND LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT.

BORN AND RAISED IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE YOU OVER HERE BY THE BRIDGE• WHAT LED ME TO TRUCKING?

I KNOW I LOVE TO DRIVE, RIGHT I I HAD THIS PASSION FOR DRIVING, I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THESES SEMI-TRUCKS I THINK IT'S KIND OF MY BLOOD TO JUST TRY TO DO MY OWN THING AND NOT BE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF BE A BOSS, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY.

MY TRUCKS, WHAT THEY DO IS THEY ACTUALLY GO INTO THE PORT, AND GET THE CHASSIS THAT YOU SEE AND THEN THEY GET THE SHIPMENTS PUT ON TO THE CHASSIS AND TAKE THEM WHEREVER WITHIN A 700 MILE RADIUS.

HEY HOW YOU DOING?

GIMME YOUR HAND.

I TURNED ON THE NEWS AND IT WAS ALL OVER THE TV.

>>A NUMBER OF AGENCIES HERE IN BALTIMORE ARE RESPONDING TO THE KEY BRIDGE THAT HAS COLLAPSED."

YOU KNOW I THOUGHT IT WAS A DREAM, YOU KNOW?

AND AT FIRST, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO AFFECT ME THAT MUCH UNTIL I SAT THERE AND THOUGHT LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET BY?

HOW IS, YOU KNOW, THESE, THESE SHIPS AND THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE IT PAST THAT SHIP THAT AND THAT WAS IT.

I REALIZED THAT WE WERE, KIND OF SCREWED.

SO WHAT'S LEFT SENIOR GAMBINO MY NAME IS ALEC HAJIMIHALIS.

I AM ONE OF THE CO-OWNERS OF ACE LOGISTICS, ALONG WITH MY BROTHER GUS.

OUR FAMILY HAD GREEK AND ITALIAN GROCERY STORE, BAKERY.

MY BROTHER AND I MORPHED THAT INTO A WHOLESALE PRODUCE BUSINESS, WHICH THEN EVOLVED INTO WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION.

WE OPERATE EIGHT BUILDINGS.

3 MILLION SQUARE FEET.

PORT OF BALTIMORE.

A LOT OF IMPORTS.

CANS OF TUNA FISH THAT ARE ON YOUR PANTRY AT HOME.

OR CANNED MUSHROOMS OR PINEAPPLES.

WE HANDLE ALL THOSE PRODUCTS.

THEY COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

SO WE CURRENTLY DISTRIBUTE ALL 48 STATES EVERY DAY.

IT'S A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING.

MY IMMEDIATE REACTION WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE COLLAPSE WAS, THIS IS GOING TO BE DEVASTATING ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.

OUR EMPLOYEES, OUR COMPANY, THE PORT, THE STATE ECONOMY.

LIVES WERE LOST.

SO IT'S AT THAT POINT BEFORE YOU CAN GATHER YOUR THOUGHTS, IT'S SOMEWHERE BETWEEN DOOM AND GLOOM AND PANIC.

>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

THIS MORNING OUR STATE IS IN SHOCK.

>> I REMEMBER THAT FIRST TIME THAT I HAD TO ADDRESS THE CAMERAS.

FRANKLY, I STILL HAD MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

AND I HAD TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT, AND REMEMBER LOOKING AT AND PLAYING WITH A LINE SAYING 'THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE MARYLAND TOUGH AND BALTIMORE STRONG.'

WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS.

BECAUSE THAT IS THE MARYLAND SPIRIT, AND THAT'S WHAT MARYLAND IS MADE OF.

WE ARE MARYLAND TOUGH AND WE ARE BALTIMORE STRONG.

AND THEN I GUESS AS A COUPLE HOURS LATER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ADDRESSED THE NATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN BALTIMORE AND WE HEARD THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAY.. >> AND LIKE THE GOVERNOR SAID, "YOU'RE MARYLAND TOUGH, YOU'RE BALTIMORE STRONG."

>> WE ALL SCREAMED "OH MY GOD, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES JUST SAID IT."

AND IT JUST KIND OF TOOK ON THIS WHOLE LIFE OF ITS OWN, BECAUSE I THINK THAT PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AND PEOPLE IN THE CITY SAID, YOU KNOW, DAMN RIGHT WE ARE MARYLAND TOUGH AND WE ARE BALTIMORE STRONG.

>> SO THE TERM THAT THE GOVERNOR SAID 'MARYLAND TOUGH BALTIMORE STRONG', IT DEEPLY RESONATES.

JUST SEEING THE WILL OF NOT ONLY US AT THE PORT BUT THE CITY AS A WHOLE BAND TOGETHER.

>> Jeff: IN THE CRISIS, ALEC EARLY IN TOLD MPT HE WASN'T SURE HOW LONG HE WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP HIS EMPLOYEES ON THE PAYROLL.

>> WE'RE TALKING TO OUR COMPETITORS AND THEY'RE LAYING OFF 30 PEOPLE 40 PEOPLE 50 PEOPLE A WEEK IF THIS TURNS INTO A SIX-MONTH OR A YEAR THING.

I COULD SEE US LAYING OFF 50 TO 75 PERCENT OF OUR WORKFORCE >>THE COUNTRY REALLY GOT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR >> I'M A COMBAT VETERAN.

AND IMMEDIATELY THOSE NATURAL, THE TRAINING KICKS IN, WHERE YOU KNOW THAT THE ONLY CERTAINTY YOU'VE HAD IS UNCERTAINTY.

IN TIMES OF CRISIS THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO SET YOURSELF ON.

ONE IS THE UNIFIED COMMAND THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE IN COMMUNICATION WITH EVERYBODY, THAT THERE CANNOT BE STRAGGLERS, THAT CANNOT BE DISTANCE.

EVERYBODY MOVES TOGETHER.

I THINK PEOPLE NOTICED THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PRESS CONFERENCES, WHO WAS I FLANKED BY?

THE MAYOR, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, OUR FEDERAL FORCES, OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS DIDN'T MATTER.

ONE COMMAND, UNIFIED COMMAND.

AND THE SECOND THING WAS TO KEEP THAT CONSTANT CADENCE OF COMMUNICATION.

IN THE MILITARY, THERE'S A SLOGAN THAT THEY TAUGHT US WHERE IT WAS "MISSION FIRST, PEOPLE ALWAYS."

WE KNEW THE MISSION.

WE LAID OUT THE FOUR DIRECTIVES ON THE FIRST DAY, RIGHT?

BRING CLOSURE TO THE FAMILIES, REOPEN THE CHANNEL, SUPPORT THOSE DIRECTLY IMPACTED, REBUILD THE KEY BRIDGE.

>> FOR THIS OPERATION THE MARYLAND CRUISE TERMINAL* BECAME HEADQUARTERS FOR THE MISSION.

>> WE INITIALLY STAND UP OUR UNIFIED COMMAND, AND OUR INCIDENT COMMAND POST.

AT THAT POINT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO HAS RESOURCES TO BEAR, TO RESPOND TO THIS INCIDENT.

SO WE'RE ALSO THINKING ABOUT RESOURCES THAT WE NEED FOR SALVAGE EFFORTS, TO MITIGATE POLLUTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND, TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE AND, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS SAFE.

IT'S A HOLISTIC APPROACH.

>> MY NAME IS DORIE MURPHY, AND I'M THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CHIEF FOR THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, BALTIMORE DISTRICT.

SO MY JOB HERE WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS TO TRAIN AND TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE READY TEAMS TO RESPOND TO NATURAL AND MAN MADE DISASTERS.

I HAD GONE DOWN TO VISIT MY PARENTS WHO LIVE ON THE EASTERN SHORE, HAVING DRIVEN ACROSS THE KEY BRIDGE THE NIGHT BEFORE, WAS SOUND ASLEEP GETTING READY TO TAKE MY DAD TO THE DOCTOR WHEN OUR COMMANDER CALLED ME AND STARTED SAYING DID YOU HEAR THE KEY BRIDGE FELL LAST NIGHT?

AND, I JUST HAD TO STOP HER AND SAY "MA'AM, I'M SORRY, CAN YOU START AGAIN?"

FROM THAT MOMENT, IT WAS, OPEN THE LAPTOP AND START WORKING RIGHT WHERE I WAS AT.

I JUST SAT DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND BEGAN TO WORK ON THE SITUATION TO CALL PEOPLE IN.

WE WERE ALL HANDS ON DECK TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS NEEDED IN THE SITUATION AS I BEGAN TO HAVE SOME TIME TO PROCESS LATER IN THE EVENING, REALIZING THAT, ANY OF US COULD HAVE BEEN ON THAT BRIDGE WHEN THAT HAPPENED.

>> MY NAME IS PAUL HANKINS, I'M THE DIRECTOR FOR SALVAGE OPERATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR OF SALVAGE FOR THE NAVY.

I GOT CALLED AT 4: 30, YOU KNOW, 5:00 IN THE MORNING FROM ONE OF OUR DIVING AND SALVAGE OFFICERS AND HE SAID HEY YOU MIGHT WANT TO TURN THE TV ON, I SEE THE KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE.

I GAVE HIM A CALL BACK, SAID, YEAH, WE NEED TO MEET PRETTY QUICK TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

I SHOWED UP AT THE COMMAND CENTER HERE IN BALTIMORE FOUR HOURS LATER AND WE WERE PRETTY MUCH READY TO GO.

IN TERMS OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THAT CHALLENGE, IT'S VERY RARE THAT YOU CAN TOTALLY SHUT DOWN A CHANNEL LIKE THAT SO COMPLETELY.

AND DROPPING 20,000 TONS OF STEEL IS A WAY TO DO IT.

WHAT DRAWS ME TO DOING SALVAGE IS IN LARGE MEASURE YOU'RE ALWAYS HELPING OUT SOMEBODY, IN THOSE CASES WHERE PEOPLE ARE, THEIR LIVES ARE AT RISK, OR EVEN TRAGICALLY, IF PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES, YOU'RE COMING IN TO HELP.

>> Jeff: COMMUNITY SUPPORT SWELLED IN RESPONSE TO THE DISASTER ALONG WITH EFFORTS TO GIVE BACK TO EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >> WHEN WE GOT LETTERS FROM THE COMMUNITY IN REGARDS TO, YOU KNOW, THEM APPRECIATING THE WORK THAT WAS BEING DONE BY THOSE FOLKS THAT WERE IN THE COMMAND POST, IT REALLY MEANT A LOT AND I THINK KEPT US GOING.

>> I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY DAYS IN, MAYBE 6 OR 7, A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION STARTED BRINGING IN ANIMALS FOR RESPONDERS TO CONNECT WITH.

RIGHT.

AND I JUST REMEMBER SEEING SO MANY PEOPLE, MYSELF INCLUDED, HUGGING THIS ENORMOUS DOG THAT THEY HAD BROUGHT IN, AND JUST, LIKE, LYING DOWN ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO IT AND PETTING IT BECAUSE IT WAS SOOTHING, IT WAS COMFORTING.

IT FELT NORMAL.

>> Jeff: MPT'S CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTED ON ONE RESTAURANT'S EFFORTS TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> AT THE ANCHOR BAY MARINA AND HARD YACHT CAFE BREAKFAST COMES WITH A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE.

WE'VE HAD EVERY AGENCY COME THROUGH HERE AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER.

THE DIVERS ON THE POLICE SIDE, ALL FIRST RESPONDERS, COAST GUARD, ARMY CORPS, SURVEYORS, WE HAVE SURVEYORS AND NOAA POSTED UP HERE RIGHT NOW AT THE MARINA.

SO WE'RE IN A UNIQUE SPOT BECAUSE WE GET TO HEAR WE'RE ASKING QUESTIONS.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

SO THEY'VE GIVEN US ALL THEIR PERSPECTIVES.

>> DEL SORDO HAD JUST TAKEN OVER THE MARINA 12 DAYS BEFORE THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE.

IT'S BEEN NON-STOP REFUELING RUNS.

RUNS FOR THOSE WORKING ON THE BRIDGE.

SO IF YOU'RE A FIRST RESPONDER, YOU HAVE A BOAT.

WELL, YOU CAN GET FUEL HERE BECAUSE IT IS ONLY A MILE AWAY FROM THE WRECKAGE.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO PROVIDING MEALS AT 50% OFF.

>> HARD YACHT SAID, WE'RE GOING TO GET 50 PERCENT OFF ALL FIRST RESPONDERS.

BUT WHAT WAS UNBELIEVABLE WAS THE LOCAL SUPPORT.

WHEN WE MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS POURED IN TO SUPPORT THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

SO 1100 MEALS OVER THE COURSE OF 45 DAYS WAS GIVEN COMPLETELY FOR FREE TO ALL FIRST RESPONDERS.

SO IF YOU WERE TIED TO THAT BRIDGE, WALKING ON THAT BRIDGE, WORKING ON THAT BRIDGE, YOU ATE FOR FREE HERE AT HARD YACHT.

TWO DAYS, THREE DAYS IN, THE NAVY DIVERS SHOWED UP IN TWO BOATS AND THEY PULL ONTO THE EDGE OF OUR DOCK.

THERE WAS A WEIRD ENERGY WITH THEM.

THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD FOUND SOMEONE.

THEY WANTED TO RECOVER A LITTLE BIT.

THEY FINISHED THEIR MEALS.

I SAID, IT'S ALL TAKEN CARE OF.

DON'T WORRY.

AT THAT MOMENT, THE GENTLEMAN, I CAN'T SAY HIS NAME, HE WANTS TO KEEP HIMSELF QUIET, BUT HE CAME UP TO ME AND HE PULLED THIS BADGE OFF, HE RIPPED IT OFF, HIS CHEST IS RIGHT HERE AND HE SAYS, I WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS AND PUT IT IN MY HAND LIKE THIS.

AND HE SAID, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR US, AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU CONTINUE TO DO FOR ALL OF US.

AND I STARTED CHOKING UP.

IN THE FACE OF DANGER.

THEY'RE UNDERWATER IN 45 DEGREE WATER WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING FEELING AROUND FOR SURVIVORS, FOR BODIES, FOR DEBRIS.

I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY OTHER THAN THOSE MEN THAT CAN HANDLE THAT.

I'VE NEVER MET ANYONE LIKE IT.

TODAY WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THE FAMILIES OF DORLIAN CABRERA AND MAYNOR SANDOVAL WHO WERE RECOVERED AND IDENTIFIED YESTERDAY.

NUESTROS CORAZONES ESTÁN CON LAS FAMILIAS.

LAMENTAMOS MUCHO.

>> YOU MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT NUMEROUS TIMES TO SPEAK IN SPANISH.

TELL ME ABOUT THE DECISION YOU MADE TO DO THAT.

YOU CERTAINLY DIDN'T HAVE TO.

YOU WERE DEALING WITH THE VICTIMS WHO MAINLY SPOKE SPANISH.

>> I WANTED THE FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITIES TO KNOW THAT I WAS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO THEM, TOO.

I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES IN THESE CRISIS SITUATIONS, THAT EVERYTHING CAN FEEL VERY 30,000 FOOT.

BUT WE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT THERE ARE FAMILIES WHO NOW HAVE AN EMPTY SEAT AT THEIR DINING ROOM TABLE, THERE ARE FAMILIES WHO WERE RELYING ON AN INCOME FROM A PERSON WHO'S NOW NO LONGER THERE.

>> IF THERE WERE ONE THING THAT I WOULD SAY THAT I NEVER HAD TO DO EVER AGAIN IN MY LIFE, IT WOULD BE, TALKING, DEALING WITH PEOPLE, FAMILY WHO LOST PEOPLE IN SOME KIND OF TRAGIC WAY.

AND I JUST WISH WE LIVED IN A WORLD WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

THAT'S A DIFFICULT THING AND THERE'S NO TEXTBOOK FOR THAT, THERE'S NO TRAINING FOR THAT.

YOU JUST HAVE TO BE A GOOD HUMAN AND HAVE EMPATHY TO DO IT.

>> CERTAINLY FINDING THE BODIES OF THOSE THAT LOST THEIR LIVES TO PROVIDE CLOSURE TO THE FAMILIES, THAT WAS THE OVERARCHING CONCERN ABOVE WHATEVER ELSE WE WERE DOING.

>> EVEN TODAY IT'S HARD TO THINK ABOUT THE LIVES THAT WERE LOST IN THAT TRAGIC ACCIDENT.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS AS AN EMERGENCY RESPONDER, SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PUSH ASIDE SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE OUR WORK, BUT IN THE QUIET MOMENTS OF THE EVENING, AFTER THE RESPONSE IS OVER, YOU GRIEVE.

>> I GOT TO MEET WITH THE FAMILIES LATER ON IN THE RESPONSE.

>> .

IT WAS HEART BREAKING.

YOU TALK ABOUT FAMILIES WHO CAME TO THIS COUNTRY TO MANIES HAVE A BETTER LIFE, TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND TO LOSE THEM IN A TRAGEDY LIKE THIS AND TO HEAR HOW HARD WORKING THEY WERE.

MY FAMILY IS A FAMILY OF IMMIGRANTS.

>> Jeff: 10 DAYS AFTERSHOCK THE BRIDGE COLLAPSED EARLY AP, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CAME TO BALTIMORE.

>> MY ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THE PARTIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TRAGEDY PAY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THE LAW WILL ALLOW.

WE WILL SUPPORT MARYLAND AND BALTIMORE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

AMAZON, HOME DEPOT, DOMINOES SUGAR AND MANY OTHER COMPANIES RELY ON THIS PORT AND THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO KEEP WORKERS AND PAYROLLS AND THEIR BUSINESSES IN BALTIMORE.

>> TODAY WE LAUNCH A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADERS IN THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS.

IT IS CALLED THE MARYLAND TOUGH BALTIMORE STRONG ALLIANCE.

FOUNDATIONS, BUSINESSES, SPORTS TEAMS COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS HAVE COMMITTED A COMBINED $15 MILLION THUS FAR TO SUPPORT OUR WORKERS AND OUR NEIGHBORS IN THIS MOMENT.

>> THE BALTIMORE RAVENS AND THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES PITCHED IN TWO-THIRDS OF THAT INITIAL AMOUNT.

>> THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION."

>> THE KEY BRIDGE RECOVERY.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> IT'S NOT LOST ON ME THAT TWO WEEKS AGO RIGHT NOW, THE KEY BRIDGE WAS STILL STANDING.

>> YOU ARE ON CAPITOL HILL TOMORROW TALKING ABOUT THE KEY BRIDGE?

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE THERE.

>> THIS IS NOT A PART PARTISAN ISSUE.

THIS IS AN AMERICAN ISSUE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT THE STATE OF LEGAL AIDER OR THE CITY OF BALTIMORE.

P THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT EVERY ONE OF US BECAUSE THE FARMER THE FARMER IN KENTUCKY MATTERS TO US BECAUSE THE LARGEST PORT IN THE COUNTRY IS THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

THE RESTAURANT OWNER IN TENNESSEE, THIS MARTS TO THEM BECAUSE THE LARGEST PORT IN THE COUNTRY FOR SPICES AND SUGAR IS THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

IT'S LETTING CONGRESS KNOW IN THIS MOMENT WE CANNOT SUCCUMB TO PARTISANSHIP.

>> EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS FOR TRADE POINT ATLANTIC.

BALTIMORE MARYLAND BORN, BRED AND EDUCATED.

>> TRADEPOINT ATLANTIC IS A GLOBAL LOGISTICS HOME DOWNRIVER OF THE FORMER FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE.

>> HOW DOES A PRODUCT TO GET MY FRONT DOORSTEP FROM AMAZON OR HOW DOES A PRODUCT GET TO A SHELF TO MY LOCAL GROCERY STORE?

IT ALL RUNS THROUGH A SUPPLY CHAIN.

>> THE SUPPLY CHAIN RUNS THROUGH THE FORMER SITE OF THE BETHLEHEM STEEL MILL WHICH CLOSE IN 2012.

>> OUR COMPANY WAS BORN OUT OF A LOSS, THE LOSS OF THE STEEL MILL AND WHAT IT MEANT TO THE COMMUNITIES.

>> Jeff: NUMBER OF THE STEEL MILL EMPLOYEES LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY OF TURNER STATION JUST DOWN THE ROAD.

WE SPOKE WITH A GROUP OF LONG TIME RESIDENTS.

>> MY NAME IS MURIEL GRAY.

WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS BEING BUILT, MY FATHER HAD A CHRISTIAN BROTHERS TRUCKING COMPANY.

AND AS A RESULT, HE WOULD BRING STEEL FROM BETHLEHEM STEEL TO BUILD THE BRIDGE.

AND ONE DAY HE PUT ME IN THE TRUCK AND WE WENT OVER THERE AND I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT AND, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE BUILDING THE BRIDGE: THAT MORNING THAT THE BRIDGE COLLAPSED, MY BED SHOOK.

AND I SAID WOW.

WHAT IS THIS?

WHEN THE BRIDGE COLLAPSED, MY FATHER CAME BACK TO ME, AND ALL THE HARD WORK THEY DID TO PUT THE BRIDGE TOGETHER.

>> MY NAME IS LINWOOD JACKSON.

MY HOUSE IS LESS THAN A THOUSAND FEET FROM THE BRIDGE.

THERE WAS THUNDER LIKE I NEVER HEARD AND IT SHOOK AND IT CAME WITH A GUST OF WIND.

AND I'M A VIETNAM VETERAN, RIGHT?

AND I HAD TO GO BACK INTO THERAPY AFTER THE BRIDGE FELL BECAUSE THE WATER WAS FULL OF RESCUE BOATS.

AND ONCE I WAS OUTSIDE I SEEN A POLICE RUN DOWN THE ROAD AND HE SAID 'OH GOD, THE BRIDGE IS IN AND HE WAS CRYING.

WE WERE HERE WITH THE BIRTH OF THE KEY BRIDGE.

AND AS I'M THINKING AND LOOKING AT THIS YOUNG LADY, HER FATHER WORKED FOR THE COMPANY THAT BUILT THE KEY BRIDGE.

>> MY NAME IS MAXINE TATE AND I'M A RESIDENT OF TURNER STATION I WAS BORN HERE.

WHEN I WAS HERE, WE HAD EVERYTHING.

WE HAD A STORE, WE HAD A DOCTOR'S OFFICE, WE HAD EVERYTHING.

AND THIS WAS OUR COMMUNITY.

SO WHEN WE SAW THAT BRIDGE, WE KNEW WE WAS IN TURNER STATION.

>> NEXT DOOR TO TURNER STATION, TRADEPOINT ATLANTIC HAS SPENT A DECADE REVITALIZING THE AREA WHERE THE FORMER STEEL MILL ONCE STOOD.

>> WE PURCHASED THE PROPERTY IN 2014 WITH INTENT TO CLEAN UP THE THE PAST SINS OF THE THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY LEFT BEHIND BY THE STEEL MILL AND TO REDEVELOP THE SITE, USE THE BUILT IN LOGISTIC CAPABILITIES FROM THE STEEL MILL, THE DEEPWATER PORT, THE RAIL, TO GROW A GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL LOGISTICS HUB WHICH OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO, BY ATTRACTING THE LIKES OF UNDER ARMOUR, McCORMICK, VOLKSWAGEN, BMW, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

THOSE VEHICLES ARE COMING IN THROUGH OUR PORT.

AND THEN THOSE VEHICLES GO OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE YOU BUY THEM AND DRIVE THEM HOME.

>> ON MARCH 26, 2024, TRADEPOINT ATLANTIC FOUND ITSELF IN AN UNUSUAL POSITION >> THERE WAS A QUICK REALIZATION THAT WE WERE THE ONLY OPEN PORT WITHIN THE PORT OF BALTIMORE, GIVEN OUR PROXIMITY SOUTH OF THE BRIDGE.

>> TOMARCHIO SPOKE WITH MPT'S JEFF SALKIN LESS THAN A MONTH LATER.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO HELP WITH THE REDIRECTED CARGO TRYING TO MAKE SURE IT COMES INTO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE RATHER THAN GO TO AN ALTERNATIVE PORT ALONG THE EAST COAST.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DOUBLE OUR CAPACITY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

>> FOR US, IT BASS HOW DO WE KEEP CARGO COMING INTO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

ONE THING THAT I THINK FOLKS WERE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT IS WHEN CARGO FINDS ANOTHER HOME, SOMETIMES IT CAN STAY THERE.

SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT WAS FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS IS LET'S KEEP BALTIMORE A VIABLE, OPEN PORT AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

>> TRADEPOINT ALSO HELPED IN THE RECOVERY AS DEMOLITION TEAMS BROUGHT PIECES OF THE DESTROYED KEY BRIDGE TO A MAKESHIFT STAGING SITE.

WE HAVE A VERY, CLOSE LOCATION TO THE BRIDGE SITE.

WE WERE CALLED BY THE MDTA AND MEMBERS OF THE JOINT COMMAND TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE PART OF OUR LAND TO SUPPORT THE RESCUE AND RECOVERY EFFORT.

>> Jeff: ACROSS THE WATER, PARTS OF THE KEY BRIDGE RESTED ON TOP OF THE DALI CARGO SHIP, PINNING IT AGAINST THE PATAPSCO RIVERBED.

>> OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WAS GETTING THE CHANNEL OPEN, AT LEAST PARTIALLY OPEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD RESTORE SOME ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

>> A COMPLEX PUZZLE FOR THE UNIFIED COMMAND TO SOLVE.

>> IN THIS INSTANCE, YOU CAN'T JUST RE-FLOAT A BUNCH OF STEEL, THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT OUT WOULD BE TO GO IN, AND CUT IT UP, PICK UP PIECES THAT HAVE BEEN CUT UP INTO SMALL ENOUGH CHUNKS THAT A CRANE CAN LIFT IT.

SO I KNEW THAT WAS GONNA BE OUR BIG CHALLENGE.

>> SO IN COMES THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BOAT THE CATLETT.

>> WE USE A MULTIBEAM SONAR AND IN LAYMAN'S TERMS WE PAINT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHANNEL.

GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THE BOTTOM LOOKS LIKE, THE TOPOGRAPHY, ANY DEPRESSIONS OR THINGS RAISING UP ABOVE WHERE WE WOULD WANT TO SEE THE DEPTH.

WHEN WE WERE DOING SOME OF THE SURVEYS AS THEY WERE REMOVING PARTS OF THE BRIDGE AND TRYING TO, GET THE DALI FREE.

WE WERE SEEING ALL SORTS OF PIECES OF STEEL DEBRIS, LARGE SECTIONS OF CONCRETE, ALL SORTS OF ROAD DECK YOU COULD SEE PRETTY CLEAR AND FLAT, ON THE SURVEY SCREEN.

ORIGINALLY, THE THOUGHT WAS WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT DIVERS IN ZERO VISIBILITY, DIVERS WERE GOING TO HAVE TO GO IN AND FEEL AROUND WHAT THEY WERE FEELING.

>> BEYOND MY FINGER TIPS.

>> AND TRY TO INTERPRET THAT AND IT SET UP RIGGING BASED UPON WHAT THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE INTERPRETING.

THAT WOULD BE A VERY, VERY SLOW PROCESS.

>> Jeff: THE NAVY SALVAGE TEAM USED NEW TECHNOLOGY CALLED CODA OCTOPUS.

>> IT'S BASICALLY A THREE DIMENSIONAL 3D SONAR WHICH TAKES ALL THESE DIFFERENT DATA THAT SONAR IS GETTING, STITCH IT TOGETHER INTO A THREE DIMENSIONAL VIEW OF THE WRECKAGE FIELD.

THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO GO DOWN AND YOU CAN LOOK AT IT FROM ALL DIFFERENT ANGLES.

SO THEN WE CAN LOOK AT THE WAY IT WAS BUILT AND THEN THE WAY IT ENDED UP AT THE BOTTOM, WE CAN MAKE DECISIONS AND DEVELOP LIFT -- LIFT PLANS AND CUT PLANS.

>> Jeff: WITH THE PLANS IN PLACE A A 1,000-TON CRANE CALLED "CHESSIE" PULLED OUT HUGE PIECES OF STEEL FROM THE OF STEEL FROM THE CHANNEL.

CHESSIE, THE LARGEST HYDRAULIC CRANE IN THE COUNTRY WAS JOINED BY A GRABBER - NICKNAMED 'GUS.'

>> JACOB TUER AND THE TEAM ON THE CATLETT CONTINUED WORKING ALONGSIDE THE SALVAGE CREW, SCANNING AGAIN AFTER PIECES WERE REMOVED• >> TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GOT EVERYTHING DOUBLE CHECK AND THEN GIVE THEM A BETTER PICTURE OF WHERE THEY WANTED TO WORK ON NEXT AND HOW THAT HAD CHANGED BECAUSE IT WAS CHANGING.

>> AND FOR TUER - THE RECOVERY PROCESS ALSO TURNED OUT TO BE A FAMILY AFFAIR >> MY BROTHER MATTHEW IS IN THE COAST GUARD RESERVE.

I ACTUALLY DIDN'T KNOW THAT MY BROTHER HAD GOT ACTIVATED FOR THIS.

WE HAD GONE OUT TO DO A SURVEY ONE DAY AND, SURE ENOUGH, DRIVING THE COAST GUARD BOAT WHEN THEY CAME OVER WAS MY YOUNGER BROTHER, MATTHEW.

SO THAT WAS PRETTY CRAZY.

I DID A DOUBLE TAKE, AND I WAS LIKE, IS THAT MATT?

I DEFINITELY FEEL PROUD.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE FROM MARYLAND.

WE GREW UP IN BALTIMORE.

AND, IT FEELS GOOD THAT I, YOU KNOW, I'M OUT THERE WITH MY BROTHER AND BEING ABLE TO BE THERE WHEN THE CITY YOU KNOW, WAS IN A TIME OF NEED WAS, IT DID FEEL PRETTY GOOD.

>> DESPITE THAT BRIGHT MOMENT, TUER WAS WELL AWARE OF HOW MUCH WORK WAS STILL AHEAD.

>> IT WASN'T LOST ON ME THAT, WHILE THE CHANNEL WAS BLOCKED, THAT THE SHIPS WEREN'T TRAVELING IN AND OUT AND THAT THERE'S GUYS AT THE FACILITIES WAITING TO UNLOAD SHIPS THAT AREN'T, AREN'T COMING.

>> LOSING, WITH WHAT I ESTIMATED WAS ABOUT 70% OF MY INCOME FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS, WAS PRETTY TERRIFYING.

THE BIGGEST WHAMMY FOR ME IS, YOU KNOW, I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER HERE IN THE CITY AND I OWN A BUSINESS THAT CATERS TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

SO THIS IS THE COURTYARD TO THE PROP HOUSE.

THE FILM INDUSTRY JUST CAME OUT OF THE STRIKES THAT WERE HAPPENING.

AND THAT'S THE WRITERS AND ACTORS GUILD STRIKES, WHICH DID A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE INDUSTRY NATIONALLY AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN BALTIMORE AND ALL THAT HIT ME.

I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT TO THE STUDIO.

>> TO DESCRIBE THE FEELING OF JUST LOOKING OUT AT BOTH THE COLLAPSED BRIDGE AND THE SHIP.

THE SHIPS ARE BLOCKS LONG AND TO IMAGINE THAT IT'S STUCK IN A VAST BODY OF WATER PREVENTING US FROM BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR NORMAL LIFE.

IT WAS CONFUSING TO SAY THE LEAST.

THERE WERE SOME UNION MEMBERS THAT WENT THROUGH ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, THAT WERE IN NEED OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE OR MORE HELP WITH THEIR MORTGAGES, MEDICAL EXPENSES, GROCERY.

I MAXIMIZE MY TIME BY USING ANY AVAILABLE TIME TO BE AN ARTIST.

I COME HOME, I PAINT, DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

>> Jeff: WENDELL SUPREME SHANNON CAME UP WITH AN IDEA TO HELP HIS FELLOW LONGSHOREMEN WHO WERE OUT OF WORK.

>> SO I USED THE PRINT INVENTORY AND A LOT OF THE ART THAT I'VE HAD TO RAISE FUNDS FOR, NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT MANY LONGSHOREMEN, IN NEED OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER PIECES WAS A PAINTING CALLED SOLIDARITY.

IT HIGHLIGHTS THE DAYS, OUR DAYS AT THE PORT WORKING ON THE CONTAINER SHIPS, OUR VIEW LOOKING OUT AT THE WATER.

THERE WAS AN EXTREME SENSE OF PRIDE.

JOY.

AND IT DEFINITELY CREATED A SENSE OF CAMARADERIE AND COMMUNITY, SOLIDIFYING OUR BOND IN TIMES OF TRAGEDY.

>> IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE COLLAPSE, WHAT IMPACTS ON BALTIMORE KIND OF STRUCK YOU THE MOST?

>> IT WAS BUSINESSES AND THE SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE ENDED UP BEING ABLE TO GIVE OUT OVER $800,000 TO HELP SAVE JOBS.

THE MAJORITY OF THEM BEING MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED.

>> MEANWHILE, STILL IN VIEW FROM THE PORT, THE DALI REMAINED STUCK IN THE MUD.

>> TO REMOVE THE DALI THERE WAS A BIG PIECE OF THE BRIDGE THAT WAS SITTING ON THE BOW.

THE PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS SO MUCH STORED ENERGY WITH THAT PIECE SITTING ON THE DALI.

YOU CUT ONE PIECE, YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO AFFECT THE REST OF THE COMPONENTS.

SO YOU COULD PUT PEOPLE AT SIGNIFICANT RISK.

WE PRETTY QUICKLY CAME TO THE CONSENSUS THAT THE WAY TO DO IT, THE MOST SAFE WAY TO DO IT WOULD BE TO DO A PRECISION, DEMOLITION OF THAT PIECE.

SO JUST LIKE WHEN YOU SEE A BUILDING CONTROLLED DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING, WHERE YOU BLOW IT UP, AND IT JUST IMPLODES ON ITSELF.

>> THE TEAM PREPARED TO SET OFF A SERIES OF CONTROLLED EXPLOSIONS TO FREE THE DALI.

ADDING TO THE CHALLENGES AT HAND - FOREIGN CREW MEMBERS REMAINED STUCK AS WELL.

THEY HAD TO REMAIN ONBOARD THE SHIP- AWAITING WORD FROM INVESTIGATORS AS TO WHEN THEY COULD LEAVE.

>> WHEN YOU DO THESE THINGS, THERE'S THIS EXPLOSIVE RADIUS WITHIN WHICH YOU DON'T WANT ANYONE TO BE BECAUSE YOU COULD POTENTIALLY BE HURT.

WELL, THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ONE WAS THE BIGGEST THING IN THAT EXPLOSION RADIUS WAS THE SHIP.

AND THE SHIP HAD PEOPLE ON IT.

SO WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PEOPLE WERE SAFE.

>> Jeff: AND THEN• TWO MONTHS AFTER THE DALI CRASHED INTO THE BRIDGE, IT WAS REFLOATED AND MOVED TO THE PORT FOR REPAIRS.

>> BEING TAKEN TO SEAGIRT MARINE TERMINAL.

IT'S ALREADY MOVED ABOUT A HALF A MILE.

>> EXACTLY 8 WEEKS AGO TODAY WE WERE GATHERED RIGHT HERE.

I REMEMBER SEEING A CONTAINER SHIP THAT IS THE LENGTH OF THREE FOOTBALL FIELDS, A CONTAINERSHIP THAT IS THE WEIGHT OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

AND WE CAME TOGETHER TO STAND UP OUR RESPONSE, OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSE TO THE KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE.

>> WHILE WORK TO CLEAR THE FEDERAL CHANNEL WAS ON TRACK, THE FEDERAL FUNDING PROMISED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS NOT.

>> BIPARTISAN MOMENTUM AND BIPARTISAN COOPERATION IS NOT A TALKING POINT TO US.

IT'S A NECESSITY.

OUR TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN CONTACT WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN, AND WE WILL GET THIS DONE.

>> MARYLAND'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION PUSHED TO HAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAY THE UPFRONT COST OF THE REBUILD.

>> WE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR OTHER STATES DURING THEIR TIMES OF NEED, AND WE REALLY HOPE EVERY STATE REPRESENTED IN THE SENATE WILL BE WITH US RIGHT NOW.

>> THE MAIN SHIPPING CHANNEL FOR THE PORT OF BALTIMORE WAS FULLY REOPENED ON JUNE 10TH.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT WE BEAT THE EXPECTATION THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A 9 TO 11 MONTH JOB, AND WE DID IT IN 11 WEEKS.

>> THERE IS NOTHING THAT I'M MORE PROUD OF THEN HOW EVERY SINGLE PERSON, EVERY SINGLE PART OF GOVERNMENT, EVERY SINGLE AGENCY WORKED, TOGETHER IN UNISON FROM THE VERY MOMENT THAT THAT FIRST CALL CAME IN AND THAT'S SOMETHING EVEN IN THE MIDST OF, UNTHINKABLE TRAGEDY AND LOSS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE PROUD OF.

>> Jeff: DESPITE THE SUCCESS GETTING THE FEDERAL CHANNEL REOPENED - THE PORT OF BALTIMORE WAS FIGHTING TO HOLD ONTO ITS MARKET SHARE.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE UH, THAT THOSE TEMPORARY OUTLETS THAT THEY FOUND AT OTHER PORTS DON'T BECOME PERMANENT.

UH, AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN ANY CARGO THAT IF IT CHOOSES TO LEAVE HERE IT'S NOT GOING TO LEAVE WITHOUT A FIGHT.

NEW YORK.

SO ALL OF OUR FREIGHT UNFORTUNATELY WENT DOWN TO NORFOLK WHICH CREATED A FOUR HOUR TRAVEL DOWN AND FOUR HOURS BACK, YOU KNOW, SO THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO ONE LOAD A DAY.

IN THE CONTAINER WORLD, YOU GET PAID FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR SURE.

EVERY LOAD YOU DO, HOW YOU GET PAID, YOU DELIVER TO THE CUSTOMER, BRING IT BACK TO THE PORT.

AND LESS TURNS MEANS LESS MONEY.

A LOT OF MY DRIVERS DECIDED TO DO OTHER THINGS LIKE, UBERS AND UBER EATS AND STUFF LIKE THAT JUST TO MAKE THEM, YOU KNOW, A DOLLAR.

SO I TRIED MY BEST NOT TO LET ANYBODY GO AT ALL, BUT I LOST.

I WENT FROM A 20 TRUCK TERMINAL TO TEN.

OH MY GOSH.

(LAUGHS) MY BOTTOM LINE DECREASED VERY MUCH.I CAN AT DECREASED VERY MUCH.

I CAN AT LEAST SEE 60% AT LEAST.

BUT THANKS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND HELPED OUT AS MUCH AS THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD.

AND IT WASN'T LOANS, THEY WERE GRANTS.

IT HELPED OUT A LOT TO KEEP MY DOORS OPEN FOR SURE.

I'M SURPRISED I'M STILL IN BUSINESS TO BE HONEST.

>> SO BACK IN APRIL, MARCH WAS IN THE TRANSITIONAL PANIC MODE.

NOBODY KNEW WHAT THE FUTURE WAS.

OUR CONCERN WAS THAT WE WOULD START LOSING EMPLOYEES BECAUSE IF YOU CUT THEIR HOURS AND YOU LOSE THEM, THEN IT'S VERY HARD TO REGAIN THEM BACK.

AND WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN WHERE WE WOULD TAKE EMPLOYEES, REALLOCATE THEIR HOURS, BASICALLY CREATE BUSY WORK.

WE'RE PAYING FOR THIS, BUT WE'RE RETAINING OUR EMPLOYEE BASE.

AND OUR BUILDINGS WERE CLEAN >> THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE, ALTHOUGH TRAGIC, BROUGHT ME CLOSER TO THESE PEOPLE AROUND HERE.

WE BECAME FAMILY.

WE BECAME FRIENDS.

THE NEGATIVE IS OUR TOP LINE REVENUE AND OUR BOTTOM LINE.

WE SOLD EVERYTHING WE HAD TO BUY THIS PLACE.

AND WE'VE SEEN OVER 9% LOSS IN REVENUE, AND THAT IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> THE PORT IS BACK TO WORKING BUT IT IS ONGOING UNTIL THE BRIDGE IS BACK UP.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN ONGOING RECOVERY.

>> DID ALL THE BUSINESSES STAY THAT SAID THEY WOULD STAY?

>> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYBODY THAT HAS LEFT PORT AS OF YET.

AND WE KNOW THAT, LISTEN, THE PORT IS DOING VERY WELL.

AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS AT THE PORT TO GROW BUSINESS ANY WAY WE CAN.

SO I THINK THE KEY BRIDGE HAS THIS EMOTIONAL AND GUTTURAL FEELING FOR PEOPLE.

AND I THINK IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T REALLY FULLY APPRECIATE UNTIL YOU WERE SPENDING SO MUCH TIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN DUNDALK, IN TURNER STATION WITH THE FAMILIES, TO SEE THAT JUST COMPLETELY INNATE CONNECTION THAT THE KEY BRIDGE HAS WITH PEOPLE.

IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES HISTORICALLY WE'VE HAD WITHIN A TURNER STATION OR A DUNDALK, THESE ARE DEEPLY PROUD COMMUNITIES AND DEEPLY CONTRIBUTING COMMUNITIES.

BUT IN MANY CASES, COMMUNITIES IS THAT HAD BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

>> WHEN I GOT HOME THAT NIGHT, GETTING READY FOR BED, YOU HEARD THIS BIG NOISE.

YOU KNOW, YOU HEAR STUFF ALL THE TIME, BUT THAT WAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF NOISE - THAT WAS LIKE 'WHAT IN THE WORLD I'M NOT A CRYBABY, BUT IT'S JUST -- -- IT AFFECTED ME, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT WAS A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

IT FELL - IT BROKE OUR COMMUNITY I FEEL LIKE WE ARE SO ISOLATED AS A COMMUNITY.

J SO WE'RE ISOLATED AS A COMMUNITY.

THAT BRIDGE WAS OUR CONNECTION.

MY NAME IS GLORIA NELSON AND I AM PRESIDENT OF THE TURNER STATION CONSERVATION TEAMS COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION.

ONE OF THE GREATEST CONCERNS WAS, WELL, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

ARE THE HOMES GOING TO SHAKE AGAIN?

ARE THEY GOING TO BE DAMAGED AGAIN?

>> IT WAS LIKE EVERYBODY WAS REPORTING ON THE OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND US, AND WE WERE LEFT OUT OF THE DISCUSS-- LEFT OUT OF THE DISCUSSION.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE AS A COMMUNITY THAT WE STAY STRONG SO WE GET OUR NEEDS MET.

>> HOW IS YOUR OFFICE ADDRESSING CONCERNS IN COMMUNITIES MOST DIRECTLY AFFECTED, LIKE TURNER STATION?

THEY'D LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> WELL LISTEN TURNER STATION IS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY, SO WE WILL JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE STATE AND THE COUNTY, WHICH I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ARE ALREADY DOING, TO HEAR THOSE FOLKS IN THOSE IMPACTED VOICES.

>> THE DALI SAILED OUT OF BALTIMORE ALMOST 3 MONTHS TO THE DAY OF THE CRASH THAT TOOK DOWN THE KEY BRIDGE.

9 MONTHS AFTER THE COLLAPSE, CONGRESS VOTED TO FUND THE ENTIRE COST FOR THE KEY BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION.

THE DESIGN WAS UNVEILED IN FEBRUARY 2025.

>> AND NOW, WE ARE GRATEFUL TO UNVEIL THE DESIGN OF THE NEW FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE.

THIS PROPOSAL HONORS THE ARCHITECTURAL TRADITION OF THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: TURNER STATION REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA NELSON WAS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE PROGRESS.

>> I'M TRULY EXCITED.

THIS IS REALLY THE BEGINNING OF A LONG JOURNEY AND THAT WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND THAT THEY ARE ALSO KEEPING THE COMMUNITY OF TURNER STATION IN THE FOREFRONT.

I COULDN'T AGREE WITH MISS GLORIA MORE, RIGHT THIS REALLY IS ABOUT PARTNERSHIP AND UNITY IN WAYS THAT WE'VE NEVER REALLY SEEN IN MY LIFETIME IN OUR CITY AND OUR STATE AND OUR REGION.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE DON'T FORGET THOSE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED THE MOST LIKE TURNER >> PRE-CONSTRUCTION WORK BEGAN IN THE NEW YEAR WITH DEMOLITION SCHEDULED FOR SPRING.

FOR NOW, MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHAT WENT WRONG, AND WHY THE DALI CAUSED THE COLLAPSE OF THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE MEN WHO WERE O THE BRIDGE, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE DOING IMPORTANT WORK, INVOLUNTARILY >> IT'S SOMETHING I STILL THINK ABOUT TO THIS DAY AND I THINK I ALWAYS WILL THAT THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST UP THERE DOING THEIR JOB, PEOPLE WHO CAME FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY, WITH A HOPE THAT THIS COUNTRY IS BIG ENOUGH FOR THEM TOO, AND WHO ARE LITERALLY WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT FIXING POTHOLES SO WE CAN HAVE AN EASIER COMMUTE.

>> Jeff: IN GOVERNOR MOORE'S 2025 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS HE HONORED THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO STOPPED THE TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE - AND PREVENTED MORE LIVES FROM BEING LOST.

>> CORPORAL JEREMY HERBERT.

[ APPLAUSE ] OFFICER GARRY KIRTS.

[ APPLAUSE ] SERGEANT PAUL PASTOREK, AND [ APPLAUSE ] OFFICER TIMOTHY BAUBLITZ.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> WE ALWAYS BOUNCE BACK EVERY TIME THEY COUNT US OUT, WHETHER IT'S THE WAR IN 1812, WHICH IRONICALLY GOT US THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, WHETHER IT WAS AFTER THE 68 RIOTS, WHETHER THE UNREST IN 2015, WHETHER IT'S COVID, IT DOES NOT MATTER.

>> THAT EXPERIENCE CHANGED ME FOREVER.

IT SERVES AS BOTH IS THIS UNDENIABLE REMINDER OF THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE AND HOW INSTANTANEOUSLY THINGS CAN BE TAKEN.

IT ALSO SERVES AS THIS UNDENIABLE REMINDER OF THE POWER