What we know about the Baltimore bridge collapse as Biden visits and the cleanup begins

BALTIMORE (AP) — A tentative timeline has been released for how soon authorities believe they can reopen crucial commercial shipping channels that have been blocked since last week’s bridge collapse in Baltimore.

President Joe Biden also plans to visit the port city. And federal and state authorities are ramping up efforts to soften the economic blow to businesses and residents who work in Maryland’s maritime industry.

Here’s what we know about as cleanup efforts gets underway:

WHAT’S THE TIMELINE FOR CLEARING THE WRECKAGE?

Engineers said Thursday that they expect to restore navigation in and out of the Port of Baltimore by the end of this month.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed within seconds on March 26 after being struck by the cargo ship Dali, which lost power shortly after leaving Baltimore.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it expects to open a limited access channel in the next four weeks. It would support barge container service and some vessels that move automobiles and farm equipment to and from the port.

Meanwhile, the agency is aiming to reopen a permanent navigation channel by the end of May, which would restore port access to normal capacity.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Biden is touring collapsed Baltimore bridge where recovery effort has political overtones </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Engineers clearing collapsed Baltimore bridge say limited-access channel to port to open in 4 weeks