Francis Scott Key Bridge (Baltimore)

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was a steel arch truss bridge spanning the lower Patapsco River in the outer Baltimore Harbor, connecting Route 695 between Baltimore and Dundalk, Maryland, United States. The bridge was the outermost of three toll road crossings of Baltimore Harbor's two tunnels and one bridge.

Construction of the bridge began in 1972 and was completed in 1977, and opened to traffic on March 23, 1977. It was one of the world's longest truss bridges. The main span of , was the third longest truss bridge in the world.

It was originally known as the Outer Harbor Crossing until it was renamed in 1976, while still under construction, and was also known as simply the Key Bridge or Beltway Bridge.

The bridge was named for the American amateur poet Francis Scott Key (1779–1843), the author of the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".

On March 26, 2024, at 01:27 EDT (05:27 UTC), the bridge's center span collapsed after the Singaporean container ship Dali collided with one of the bridge's pillars. At least seven vehicles fell into the water. Two people were recovered from the river, one person had no injuries while the other was in "very serious condition". Six members of a construction crew were working on the roadway when it collapsed are missing, presumed dead. 2 bodies have been found.

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Category:1977 establishments in the United States
Category:1970s establishments in Maryland
Category:2024 disestablishments in the United States
Category:21st-century disestablishments in Maryland
Category:Steel bridges
Category:Arch bridges
Category:Bridges in the United States
Category:Buildings and structures in Baltimore
Category:Transport in Maryland