Many bridges across the U.S. face the same risks as Maryland’s Key Bridge

Read More

Dr. Stephen Flynn, founding director of Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute, highlights that numerous U.S. bridges share vulnerabilities similar to those of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. He emphasizes that many bridges were constructed without accounting for the increased size of modern vessels and the surge in maritime traffic, rendering them susceptible to ship collisions. Dr. Flynn advocates for comprehensive risk assessments of existing bridges and the implementation of protective measures to prevent future incidents.

Dr. Flynn’s expertise in critical infrastructure resilience underscores the necessity of updating bridge designs to meet contemporary challenges. He suggests that integrating resilience principles into infrastructure planning can enhance the ability to withstand and recover from disruptions. His recommendations aim to prompt policymakers and engineers to prioritize the modernization of bridge structures, ensuring they are equipped to handle current and future maritime demands.