The tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore is putting a spotlight on the state of the country's infrastructure.

The massive Francis Scott Key bridge, built nearly 50 years ago, was brought down in an instant this week, when a massive shipping vessel crashed into one of its main support beams.

Now, the focus shifts to the daunting task of reopening the port and rebuilding the bridge.

Recently, there was a partial bridge collapse near Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh, but owner of the Howland Company John Evan says this is unlike anything we've seen in history before.

"I will admit this, the first time that I've seen something of that nature," said Evan. "The significance of this one is it's completely blocking the channel. It's cutting off cargo shipment, as well as the impact of the community because I think they said it cares about 1.2 million vehicles a year. So it's pretty significant," he said.

Evan says cleanup is going to be very difficult and time consuming.

"You'd have to basically locate a crane on a barge in water that's constantly moving, the depth of the water on from what I've gathered is 50 feet or so beneath the bridge itself," said Evan. "So you have constantly moving action, you're trying to remove a structure that's mangled and damaged, and you have people with torches or shears out there trying to cut it and remove it, it's going to be an arduous task," he said.

"At this point, they're going to have to clear the structure away, which that's going to be a monumental task," said Evan. They'll have to assess the condition of the remaining structure to see what's competent, what's reusable, and what can still remain in place through the construction process," he said.

Finally, Evan says, there will need to be a plan in place, get it approved and then implement that plan.