Biden visits Baltimore, tours collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge
ByTheresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Members of the Coast Guard patrol near the wreckage of the cargo ship Dali after it collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on April 4, 2024 in Baltimore. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
ByTheresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
BALTIMORE — President Joe Biden traveled to Baltimore on Friday to see efforts to clear away the tons of metal left in the Patapsco River after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed last week, blocking a key shipping channel and leaving six people dead.
The bridge fell into the river early on the morning of March 26 after one of its supporting columns was struck by a cargo ship, the Dali, as it was leaving Baltimore.
‘We’re going to continue to have your back,’ Biden says during Baltimore visit
Update 3:35 p.m. EDT April 5: Speaking after attending an operational briefing on Friday, Biden again vowed that the federal government will support Maryland’s efforts to recover from last week’s bridge collapse in Baltimore.
“We’re going to continue to have your back, every step of the way,” the president said. “I guarantee you.”
Earlier, federal officials made $60 million of federal funding available to aid in the cleanup and recovery efforts. Biden said, “We’re going to move heaven and earth to rebuild this bridge as rapidly as humanly possible, and we’re going to do so with union labor and American steel.”
“My administration is committed, absolutely committed to ensuring that the parties responsible for this tragedy pay to repair the damage and be held accountable to the fullest extent the law will allow,” he added. “But I also want to be clear — we will support Maryland and Baltimore every step of the way to help you rebuild and maintain all the business and commerce that is here now.”
Biden tours site of collapse
Update 2:50 p.m. EDT April 5: Biden saw the wreckage left by the bridge collapse from the air on Friday.
With him were Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, White House deputy chief of staff Natalie Quillian, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Linda Fagan and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon.
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Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, D.C., on Friday, April 5, 2024. The Biden administration urged Congress to fully fund the reconstruction of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in a letter to key lawmakers prior to his visit to the bridge wreckage on Friday. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden speaks to the press before boarding Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2024. Biden is heading to Baltimore to tour the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden, center, speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, D.C., on Friday, April 5, 2024. The Biden administration urged Congress to fully fund the reconstruction of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in a letter to key lawmakers prior to his visit to the bridge wreckage on Friday. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden departs the White House on April 05, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Biden is scheduled to travel to Baltimore today to visit the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden walks to board Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2024. Biden is heading to Baltimore to tour the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Marine One, with President Joe Biden aboard, departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2024. Biden is heading to Baltimore to tour the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden arrives in Baltimore on April 5, 2024 for a tour of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge and the container ship Dali. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse The motorcade of President Joe Biden approaches the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge and the container ship Dali (background) in Baltimore on April 5, 2024. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Marine One, with President Joe Biden onboard, makes an aerial tour of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on April 5, 2024. A tugboat pushing a fuel barge became the first vessel to sail through a temporary channel opened beside the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore harbor, authorities overseeing the cleanup operation said late April 1. (Brendan Smialow/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse A fleet of helicopters, including Marine One carrying President Joe Biden, circles the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, on April 05, 2024 in Baltimore. The bridge collapsed after being struck by the 984-foot cargo ship Dali at 1:30 a.m. on March 26. President Biden traveled to Baltimore for an aerial tour of the salvage operation of the bridge, to give remarks on the future of the bridge and to meet with families of the six victims who were working to repair potholes on the bridge when it collapsed. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Marine One, with President Joe Biden onboard, makes an aerial tour of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge and the container ship Dali in Baltimore on April 5, 2024. A tugboat pushing a fuel barge became the first vessel to sail through a temporary channel opened beside the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore harbor, authorities overseeing the cleanup operation said late April 1. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Headquarters, near the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, on April 05, 2024 in Baltimore. The bridge collapsed after being struck by the 984-foot cargo ship Dali at 1:30 AM on March 26. President Biden traveled to Baltimore for an aerial tour of the salvage operation of the bridge and to meet with families of the six victims who were working to repair potholes on the bridge when it collapsed. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Biden visits Baltimore after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Headquarters, near the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, on April 05, 2024 in Baltimore. The bridge collapsed after being struck by the 984-foot cargo ship Dali at 1:30 AM on March 26. President Biden traveled to Baltimore for an aerial tour of the salvage operation of the bridge and to meet with families of the six victims who were working to repair potholes on the bridge when it collapsed. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Original report: Eight construction workers were fixing potholes on the bridge when it fell. Two survived after falling into the water. The bodies of two others were found after the collapse, and four others are believed to be dead.
On Friday afternoon, Biden will tour the site of the collapsed bridge by air before joining a briefing on response and recovery efforts. He will deliver remarks on the government’s response later Friday before meeting with families who lost loved ones in the collapse.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which maintains the shipping channel, said Thursday that it expects to open a temporary channel by the end of April to allow access for container vessels and some that ship automobiles and farm equipment.
The Port of Baltimore is a key automobile hub for the U.S. In 2023, it recorded its 13th-straight year as the top U.S. port for vehicles, with more than 847,000 handled, according to Maryland officials. It was the top port for automobiles, light trucks, farm and construction machinery, imported sugar and imported gypsum, officials said.
“The port here in Baltimore does the most vehicle handling of any port at all, and that’s just talking about the vehicle side,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said last week. “There is no question that this will be a major and protected impact to supply chains.”
Federal officials have vowed to support Baltimore through its recovery. Authorities made $60 million in emergency relief funds available hours after the incident. Biden also said the federal government should cover the cost of rebuilding the bridge.
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Bridge collapse Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark) (Steve Ruark/AP)
Bridge collapse Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark) (Steve Ruark/AP)
Bridge collapse The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sit on the water after it collapsed in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The bridge collapsed after being struck by a container ship, sending multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The collapsed steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and a section of the roadway still upright (L) sit on the water after the bridge collapsed in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The bridge collapsed after being struck by a container ship, sending multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sit on the water after it collapsed in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The bridge collapsed after being struck by a container ship, sending multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The collapsed sent multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The collapsed sent multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace, with Police Commissioner Richard Worley (R) and Mayor Brandon Scott (2nd R), speaks at a press conference on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The bridge collapsed early March 26 after being struck by a container ship, sending multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse A section of the roadway still stands after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it was struck by a container ship, in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The collapsed sent multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse A US Coast Guard helicopter flies over the Dali container vessel after it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse TOPSHOT - The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The collapsed sent multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The collapsed sent multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. The collapsed sent multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles," Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department told CNN. Ship monitoring website MarineTraffic showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali stopped under the bridge. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Key Bridge in Baltimore collapses (Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Maryland-Bridge-Collapse Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (WJLA via AP) (Uncredited)
Maryland-Bridge-Collapse Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (WJLA via AP) (Uncredited/AP)
Maryland-Bridge-Collapse Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (WJLA via AP) (Uncredited/AP)
Maryland-Bridge-Collapse Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (WJLA via AP) (Uncredited/AP)
Maryland-Bridge-Collapse Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (WJLA via AP) (Uncredited/AP)
Bridge collapse The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Maryland Bridge Collapse Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse is shown early morning, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from Riviera Beach, Md. A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in a few places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were initially searching for at least seven people. (AP Photo/Nathan Ellgren) (Nathan Ellgren)
Maryland Bridge Collapse Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse is shown early morning, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from Riviera Beach, Md. A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in a few places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were initially searching for at least seven people. (AP Photo/Nathan Ellgren) (Nathan Ellgren)
Maryland Bridge Collapse Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse is shown early morning, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from Riviera Beach, Md. A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in a few places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were initially searching for at least seven people. (AP Photo/Nathan Ellgren) (Nathan Ellgren)
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