ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the cutting off of access to the Port of Baltimore is not only wreaking havoc on businesses there. It’s also having a ripple effect reaching into New York state.

It’s estimated as many as 4,700 trucks passed over the Francis Scott Key Bridge on any given day prior to the collapse.

All of those trucks and the rest of the traffic are now being rerouted, causing traffic backups and congestion elsewhere around the port.

That is causing big problems for the trucking industry.

“Our biggest concerns are that this is going to be a long-term project. There’s no easy fix at replacing this bridge,” said Stephen Erwin, Central Region vice chair of the Trucking Association of New York.

Erwin also owns a trucking company that is taking a close look at its routes in and around the Baltimore area.

The severity of the troubles for the truckers generally depends on which area of New York state the trucks are traveling from.

Clinton’s Ditch Co-Op trucking company owner says even the truckers who had avoided the Port of Baltimore area are affected as the rerouted trucks and other vehicles congest the highways and roadways.

“What concerns us the most is the increased traffic. Baltimore is already a very, very congested area and transit times through and around the Baltimore area typically are much longer than most other places, and this is going to even make those times longer just because of the sheer volume of traffic,” said Erwin.

Erwin says it’s tricky to drive through the city, and the tunnels in Baltimore have limitations on size and load for truckers.

Truckers are bracing themselves to potentially lose money as they sit in traffic.

Plus, the supply they are transporting is also in jeopardy of reaching its destination when expected.