Baltimore Resident Says ‘Bridge Collapse Will Have Major Impact On Economy’

The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will impact the lives of Baltimore residents and their livelihoods, according to one local man.

In an exclusive interview with The Blast, Erik Matthews opened up about how he thinks the economy will change for the worse following the devastating incident.

Matthews, who has lived in Baltimore for over two decades, recalled finding out about the collapse through the internet.

"I found out through Facebook when I woke up this morning and then tuned into the news," he revealed. "So I live a few miles from the bridge but I worked in a building overlooking it for about 8 years."

Matthews explained that he had just recently moved to Hampden, but he previously lived in Upper Fells and could see the bridge from where he worked. Opening up about the impact of the collapse, he told The Blast:

"The bridge collapsing is going to be pretty devastating to our area. Not only was it a vital link for travel in and around our city, but it's also a major part of our beltway, and the collapse has severed a major travel link between the east and western parts of the city."

He continued, "It's really disquieting to have a major landmark just gone."

Matthews noted that he took the bridge every day and often traveled by boat on cruises. However, the bridge's collapse has snatched away the joys associated with the steel structure. He said:

"It was comforting seeing it from the air when coming home, just kind of welcoming you."

"As for day-to-day life, travel will be very tough for the next five years I'd imagine." Matthews forecasted. "To get from one side of the harbor to the other used to be five minutes but will probably take the better part of an hour now."

Matthews also expects that the collapse will affect supply and demand in the city. In his words: 

"It's also good to point out that the bridge was the only mode of travel for trucks carrying hazardous materials across the city affecting shipping up and down the east coast (hazmat vehicles can't travel through the tunnels)."

He continued, "I'm expecting major shipping delays for everyday things like Amazon etc, as well as a commute change. It was basically the welcome gate to our city."

Matthews believes that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will lead to "not only human loss, but it's going to have a major impact on our economy."

In a separate interview, a woman named Carri Celozzi spoke to The Blast about her experience with the horrific incident at her home.

Celozzi, who lives in Dundalk — a neighborhood close to the bridge — could see the famous bridge every day from the comfort of her home. However, when she heard the loud thump, she didn't expect it to be the Francis Scott Key Bridge. In her words:

"This morning at 1:30 am, I woke up to a horrific noise, and my house was shaking. I thought it was an earthquake or something crashing nearby like a plane since I'm not far from BWI Airport."

She added, "I laid in bed for a few minutes, trying to comprehend what happened. I looked outside, and everything seemed normal, so I thought it was a dream, and I went back to bed," noting that she only realized the severity of the situation hours later.

"7 am this morning is when I started getting calls, messages, etc, asking if I'm OK and if I saw the news. It gives me chills now realizing that what I heard hours ago was a BRIDGE collapsing!!!" she declared.

Celozzi opened up about the last time she used the famous landmark, saying it was just a few weeks back. "It never crossed my mind that would be the last time I drove over it," she lamented.

Celozzi, who witnessed the outpouring of help from emergency services, confirmed the search for people was still ongoing.

"Helicopters have been circling my neighborhood all morning nonstop. I believe they still have the search and rescue going on for the remaining missing people," she noted.

In a recent press conference update, James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, revealed that two people were rescued in the initial hours of the emergency response.

He added that unfortunately, one is in "very serious condition," while the other is unharmed.

Paul Wiedefeld, the Maryland Transportation Secretary also noted that multiple contractors were working on "concrete deck" repairs on the bridge at the time of the incident.