Baltimore channel to open ‘within days’

The cargo ship Dali, which caused the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse, is now headed back to port. That clears an important hurdle to fully reopening the busy Baltimore port and beginning reconstruction of the vital Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The cargo ship Dali, which caused the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse, is now headed back to port. That clears an important hurdle to fully reopening the busy Baltimore port and beginning reconstruction of the vital Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

It's been about two months since the ship crashed into the bridge, causing it to collapse and killing 6 construction workers. Now Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says he expects the channel to be reopened within days. 

"This really is an important milestone and one we've all been working toward and waiting for," Buttigieg said. "That means a lot to the community of Baltimore. It means a lot to American supply chains. And in particular it means a lot to long shore workers, many of whom have not been able to work."

Maryland Governor Wes Moore said on NBC's Meet The Press that it's happening faster than expected. 

"Despite the fact that people said this could take six and nine months, I'm proud that we're on track, that by the end of May, we'll have that federal channel reopened," Moore said. 

But there is still a long way to go, with reconstruction of the bridge expected to take around four years. 

"A lot of work has to go into getting it designed, making sure that it is the best and safest design for the future," Buttigieg said. 

The federal government authorized $60 million in emergency funding for the reconstruction. 

"That funding is an investment in getting a community back to normal," Buttigieg said. 

"For people who are concerned about the cost, my thing is this, the American people will be made whole on this, and we just have to make sure that we had to get it done fast and on time and on budget," Moore said. 

Secretary Buttigeig says eventually private companies may have to pay up but says we can't wait for that legal process to play out to start rebuilding.

"Which is why we're making sure that the money moves now, even as work is done to try and recover, potentially, from any private parties later," Buttigieg said. 

The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the crash.