BALTIMORE, MD—Work crews began bridge wreckage removal on Saturday to remove debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Highly trained demolition crews will begin cutting the top portion of the north side of the collapsed bridge into smaller sections for safe removal by crane. One crane barge and one working barge have been placed at the incident to support Saturday’s operations.

Salvage teams will use gas-powered cutters to systematically separate sections of the steel bridge, which will be taken to a disposal site. At the same time, salvage divers continue to conduct underwater assessments of the work site to support further operations. Officials say the lifting operation requires engineering analysis to inform salvage operation plans.

Crews are working in partnership with BGE to reduce pressure to an underwater pipeline that spans the width of the channel and runs under the incident site. Officials are coordinating to inert the pipeline to free it from hazards and risk. Pipeline operations will continue through the weekend.

Authorities continue to maintain a 2000-yard maritime safety zone for the M/V Dali recovery efforts, a Temporary Flight Restriction with a radius of three nautical miles from the surface, up to and including 1,500 feet above ground level also remains in effect.

The safety zone is being enforced for the protection of personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the potential hazards associated with salvage work. The vessel remains stable with crew aboard.

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly Reaves