President Biden is set to visit Baltimore on Friday in a display of support after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last week. The president's visit comes after a Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, struck one of the bridge's main supports, causing it to fall and resulting in the deaths of six construction workers who were working on the bridge. The devastating incident has disrupted traffic and commerce in the city, prompting Mr. Biden to pledge federal support for the reconstruction of the bridge.

During his visit, President Biden will take an aerial tour of the wreckage, receive briefings on response efforts, and meet with the families of the victims. The president has promised to cover the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge, a move that will require approval from Congress. The Biden administration has already approved $60 million in immediate aid to help with the cleanup efforts.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has announced a tentative timeline for reopening the vital shipping channel near the Port of Baltimore. They expect to open a temporary channel by the end of April and the permanent channel by the end of May. However, vessel traffic in and out of the port remains suspended, with larger commercial ships like the Dali still unable to leave the harbor due to debris blocking the channel.

Governor Wes Moore has indicated that reopening the port will take longer than a month, and efforts are ongoing to clear the debris and restore operations. President Biden's visit on Friday will include an operational update on these efforts, as well as meetings with state and local officials to discuss emergency funding for Baltimore and its response to the bridge collapse. The president's visit aims to show solidarity with the people of Baltimore and assure them that the federal government will be with them every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt.