- Written by Bernd Debsmann Jr.
- BBC News, Baltimore
Video: Biden tells Baltimore residents: ‘I’m here to grieve with you.’
US President Joe Biden has vowed to “move heaven and earth” to help recover from the deadly bridge collapse that cut off Baltimore’s port.
He added that the government will “help rebuild and sustain all the businesses and commerce that are here now.”
The collapse killed six workers and trapped a giant ship in one of the East Coast’s busiest ports, used by companies such as Amazon.
So far, $60 million (£47.4 million) has been allocated for the clean-up effort.
The final cost of removing the channel and rebuilding the bridge is likely to be much higher, with some lawmakers estimating it could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. One of them, Maryland Democrat David Tron, told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that he believed the cost could reach $1 billion.
On Friday, Biden reiterated previous promises to help fund Baltimore’s recovery process and rebuilding efforts.
“I think the federal government is going to do that. [will] We will bear the entire construction cost of this bridge. Everything,” he said, calling on Congress to approve funding “as soon as possible.”
Hours after the president’s remarks, officials in Baltimore announced that a dive team had recovered a body at the site of the bridge collapse for the third time.
The body of Mayor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval was discovered around 10:30 local time on Friday, according to the Unified Forces.
The bodies of the other two victims, Alejandro Hernández Fuentes, 35, and Dorrian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, were discovered last week.
The remaining three victims have not yet been found, but Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland Butler Jr. said, “We are committed to finding closure for each family.”
The body of Sandova Mayor Yasir Suazo was discovered on Friday.
During his visit, Biden, who has family ties to the city, toured the collapsed area from the air with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other top officials involved in rescue efforts, and then met with emergency workers.
Speaking in Dundalk, a suburb of Baltimore, with the cargo ship, the Dali and the destroyed bridge in clear view, Biden said he was “giving heaven and earth” to the federal government to rebuild the bridge “as quickly as humanely possible.” He said that he would move the earth.
He added that the rebuilding effort will be led by “unions and American Steel.”
The port is an important economic hub with over 15,000 jobs.
He added: “Ladies and gentlemen, we all need to step up.” “Amazon, Home Depot, and other companies all rely on this port and are committed to keeping their workers on the payroll.”
During his speech, Biden also sent a message to the families of the “hard-working, strong, selfless” men killed in the crash, whom he planned to meet during his visit. All six were immigrants from Mexico and Central America.
“Never forget the contributions they made to this city,” he said. “We will continue to work toward each individual’s recovery.”
In an April 5 letter to ranking members of House and Senate committees focused on infrastructure, transportation, public works, and the environment, Sharonda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said the administration “has We will pursue all means to recover it.” And future work.”
Following the crash, the Joint Command in charge of the response opened two small temporary shipping lanes in the area to allow limited maritime traffic to pass through.
By the end of April, authorities will open a 280-foot (80-meter) wide, 35-foot (10-meter)-deep restricted-access waterway, allowing one-way traffic for barge containers and some other vessels carrying cars and equipment. I would like to allow it.
Unified Command said in a statement earlier this week that it expects the entire permanent channel to be clear and ready for use by the end of May.
However, that schedule is subject to change due to weather and unforeseen complications associated with the salvage operation.
“This is going to take time,” Biden said.
