Baltimore bridge was ‘up to code’ – but rules predate age of supersized ships

National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching investigators, but governor said Francis Scott Key Bridge was sound

• Baltimore bridge collapse – latest updates

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has revived scrutiny not just of this specific structure but also the overall health of bridges across the US, many of which are considered to be in poor condition.

It’s so far unclear whether the downfall of the bridge, which was hit by a large container ship and crumpled into the Patapsco River early on Tuesday morning, was down to any fault in the structure itself.