WATCH LIVE: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg delivers update on Baltimore bridge recovery

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivered an update on the Baltimore bridge collapse recovery effort at Wednesday's White House press briefing. 

The secretary outlined the steps the Department of Transportation is taking to reopen the Port of Baltimore, deal with supply chain issues until the port reopens, rebuild the bridge and handle transportation reroutes until the bridge is restored.

"Rebuilding will not be quick, or easy or cheap. But we will get it done," Buttigieg said. 

The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating with the Army Corps of Engineers to clear the channel and restore shipping access to the Port of Baltimore. The Biden administration will use new regulatory authority established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to "smooth out supply chains" and "keep goods moving," according to the secretary.

Buttigieg said the National Transportation Safety Board is leading an independent investigation into the cargo ship accident that led to the bridge disaster. He said President Biden will work with Congress "to provide all the support that Maryland and Baltimore needs." 

"This will be a long and, difficult path. But we will come together around Baltimore and we will rebuild together," Buttigieg said.