After the Recent NTSB Report: 68 U.S. Bridges Now Flagged for Collapse Risk

When the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore catastrophically collapsed in March 2024 after being struck by a cargo ship, it didn’t just send concrete tumbling into the Patapsco River—it also shook the foundations of U.S. infrastructure policy. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the bridge was 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold of collapse due to a ship strike. Tragically, six construction workers lost their lives in the incident, prompting a nationwide reevaluation of bridge safety over navigable waters.

The root of the problem? The bridge was built before 1994—prior to regulations requiring bridge designs to resist ship impacts. More concerning, no vulnerability assessment had been conducted by the Maryland Transportation Authority, which, according to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, meant missed opportunities to proactively prevent disaster.

The Baltimore tragedy was a red flag. As a result, the NTSB has identified 68 bridges across 19 U.S. states that urgently require evaluation. These include icons like the Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and George Washington Bridge, along with seven high-traffic bridges in Texas, such as the Rainbow Bridge and Sidney Sherman Bridge. All were constructed before critical AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) guidelines came into effect in 1991.

While a high-risk rating doesn’t mean collapse is imminent, the NTSB is urging state authorities to perform structural assessments and develop risk mitigation strategies immediately. The frequency of large container ships and the outdated designs of many of these structures represent a concerning mix—especially with maritime traffic steadily increasing.

This is a civil and geotechnical engineering moment. It's a reminder that bridges are more than just roadways—they are dynamic systems interacting with natural and human-made forces. The collapse of the Key Bridge underscores the importance of routine risk modeling, updated assessments, and cross-agency collaboration. The $100M settlement from the ship's owners can’t bring back lives, but it’s a stark lesson in liability, maintenance neglect, and the dire cost of delayed action.

As the NTSB continues its investigation, engineers and policymakers alike must rise to the challenge of retrofitting, reinforcing, and rethinking our aging infrastructure—for safety, for resilience, and for the generations that depend on it.

Following, is a video where NTSB gives update on Baltimore bridge probe nearly one year after collapse.