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The crane to clear debris from the Key Bridge heads to the Patapsco River last week.

After the calamity of the collapse of the Key Bridge March 26 it was clear to everyone that remaining victims need to be found and the site needed to be cleared of debris to enable ships to use the shipping lane asap.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore was on site at the Key Bridge on Easter Sunday. The urgency of the recover was emphasized in his statements to the press.

"I want this done quickly. I want it done right," Gov. Wes Moore said after he offered condolences and prayers to the families of the victims. The Governor's office told news outlets that efforts will be "round-the-clock" until the Port of Baltimore is back open.

Two crane barges, a 650-ton crane, and a 330-ton crane are working on the scene. The 230-ton land-based crane will offload and process the wreckage at Tradepoint Atlantic and will then be taken to a disposal site. 

The Unified Command efforts will be led by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, and Maryland State Police along with Witt O'Brien's Synergy Marine. 

A 200-ton piece of the bridge was hauled away Sunday.

"This will mark an important first step along the road to reopening the port of Baltimore," said Capt. David O'Connell, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Key Bridge Response 2024. "By opening this alternate route, we will support the flow of marine traffic into Baltimore."

A temporary channel will be created and will be marked by lighting and will aid in navigation. The channel will have a depth of 11 feet, a 264-foot horizontal clearance, and a vertical clearance of 96 feet.

Authorities have asked the public to avoid the area and have created a "safety zone of 2000 feet" around the Key Bridge. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative, the mayor's office said.

Thousands of jobs have been directly impacted by the disaster. Federal funding has been secured to help these workers. The Maryland Legislature is also voting on an aid package for businesses in the area.

Small businesses affected by the collapse can now apply for disaster loan assistance from the federal government. Applications are now open and should be submitted online at this website by December 30, 2024.