Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has stated that efforts to fully reopen the channel will continue after salvage teams recovered the body of the sixth and final construction worker who went missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26.
The victim, identified as 37-year-old Jose Mynor Lopez of Baltimore, Maryland, was found on May 7 at the collapse site. The Maryland State Police, FBI victim specialist, linguist, and mental health professionals have notified the victim’s family members after confirming the positive identification.
Col. Roland Butler Jr., superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, expressed condolences and honored the memory of all six workers who lost their lives in the tragic event. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also expressed deep gratitude to the Unified Command and rescue teams for their dedication to recovering all the victims.
As the recovery efforts reach a significant milestone, Mayor Scott emphasized the importance of bringing closure to the families of the victims. The tragic incident occurred when a cargo ship lost power and collided with the bridge, leading to its collapse while eight workers were repairing potholes. Two workers were rescued, while the remaining six were initially missing and later presumed dead.
Salvage teams retrieved the bodies of the victims in separate recovery operations, with the last victim, Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, being recovered on May 1. Plans are in place to refloat and remove the cargo ship to resume maritime traffic through Baltimore’s port.
The Maryland Department of Transportation announced a plan to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in approximately four years at an estimated cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that hazardous materials were onboard the ship, but no pollution has been reported. The total damage to the bridge and vessel is estimated to exceed $500,000.
The state aims to construct a new span by the fall of 2028, with detailed engineering specifics yet to be confirmed. The recovery and rebuilding efforts continue as authorities work towards providing closure and justice for the victims and their families. Please rephrase this sentence.
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