Key Bridge Closure Update: Ship Running Late

The temporary closure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been put off for as long as a "couple of hours," according to a Maryland Transportation Authority spokeswoman.

Citing safety concerns, the MDTA decided to close both the Bay and Key bridges today while a ship carrying four "massive" cargo cranes to the Port of Baltimore passed underneath each span today.

The ship, the m/v Zhen Hua 13, was scheduled to pass under the Bay Bridge at about 1:15 this afternoon, and was expected to be at the Key Bridge by about 3:15, according to transportation authority and Maryland Port Administration officials.

But the ship just passed under the Bay Bridge at about 2:35 p.m., according to transportation authority spokeswoman Lesli Leath.

"The ship is running late—real late," said J.B. Hanson, spokesman for the port administration. "If the ship picks up speed, it could be at the Key Bridge by about 4:15 to 4:30."