Biden Gives Details On Baltimore Bridge And Port Reopening Timeline

President Joe Biden said the Port of Baltimore, impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, would resume normal operations by the end of May as he once again pledged federal government support for the area on Friday.

His remarks come 10 days after the Francis Scott Key Bridge was rammed by an enormous container ship, killing six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the road. Some of their bodies have yet to be recovered.

Biden revealed that one of the workers, a 24-year-old named Carlos, had texted a loved one shortly before his death to say his crew had just laid cement and was waiting for it to dry.

“We’ll also never forget the contributions each of these men made to this city. We’re going to keep working hard to recover each of them. And you know, my vow is: We will not rest, as Carlos said, until the cement has dried and the entirety of a new bridge, a new bridge, [is built],” Biden said.

Grant funds totaling some $8 million will help a nearby port, Sparrow Point, take on more ships, Biden said, adding that his administration would also be handing out “dislocated worker grants” and low-interest loans to affected small businesses.

Shipping traffic has needed to be rerouted as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works to clear the bridge debris; Biden said that “thousands of tons of mangled steel remain lodged in the water.” Officials have been able to clear two channels, Biden said, with a third opening by the end of the month.

Biden pledged last week that the federal government would also foot the bill for the bridge’s replacement.

“And I expect the Congress to support my effort,” Biden said, in spite of declining appetite for bipartisanship across the legislative branches.

The House Freedom