President Joe Biden, continuing to make Baltimore a symbol of his administration’s push to upgrade aging infrastructure, pledged $147 million in grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Port of Baltimore.

He also reiterated his pledge to fully fund the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. That commitment must be made by Congress, which hasn’t yet passed legislation to fund the project at 100%.

“We won’t stop until the new bridge is finished completely,” Biden said Tuesday at the Dundalk Marine Terminal in Baltimore. “I call on Congress to fully fund it this year.”

The Maryland Port Administration will receive $145 million in Environmental Protection Agency grants to purchase zero-emission cargo handling and other equipment, and new heavy-duty transport trucks and locomotives, according to the White House. It said the port also will receive $2 million to help it “chart a path to greater emissions reductions in the future.”

The infusion of money is expected to ultimately lead to 2,000 jobs as the projects occur over the next three to four years, according to administration estimates.

The aid is part of a $3 billion national investment in ports that was part of the Inflation Reduction Act signed by Biden in 2022. It is aimed at reducing pollution for port workers and surrounding communities and creating union jobs.Biden spoke at the marine terminal in front of a red, white and blue sign reading, “President Joe Biden. Investing in America.” Shipping vessels were visible in the water behind him.

Before Biden spoke, Mayor Brandon Scott, Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. and other Maryland lawmakers thanked the president for his support of Baltimore and the port.

“Thank you, President Biden, for coming to our rescue and being with us all the way,” Cardin said, thanking Biden in particular for his pledge to obtain 100% federal funding to replace the Key Bridge following its collapse that killed six construction workers and halted activity at the Port of Baltimore in March.

Speaking before Biden, Gov. Wes Moore recounted the Key Bridge collapse in March.

“The Port of Baltimore is back,” Moore said. “It’s great that today we’re here because of a triumph.”

Biden’s speech, one week before the presidential election, was part of a push by national Democrats to promote the administration’s efforts to upgrade aging infrastructure. Biden has joked that Republicans who voted against a massive infrastructure package in 2021 now seek to claim credit for large projects in their districts.

The $146 million for Maryland will come from a grant program called “Clean Ports” that the state’s port administration applied for and is administered by the EPA, which lists the project start date as Feb. 1.

Biden has made Baltimore a symbol of his push to upgrade ports, roads, bridges, transit systems and broadband.

In 2021, the Democratic president toured the port to celebrate the passage of the infrastructure improvement legislation that came as American ports, particularly along the West Coast, experienced jams that spurred price jumps for many products as the nation recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.

More recently, Biden visited Baltimore following the Key Bridge collapse.

He pledged then that his administration would help clear the channel — that was completed in June — and secure full federal funding for the bridge replacement.

The $147 million is distinct from the push by Maryland lawmakers to secure 100% funding from Congress for the replacement of Key Bridge. That effort is ongoing, and Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Tuesday that the state’s federal delegation hopes to have that approval from Congress by the end of the year.

Biden headed from the port to BMORE LICKS, a popular Canton ice cream store.

“Oh, my God, Joe Biden is here,” a passerby shouted.

The small shop became a news conference venue as Biden was asked about North Korean troops and Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign speech Tuesday night.

Biden said he planned to watch Harris’ speech in Washington but not attend. “It’s for her,” he said.

The corner shop, with a mural of an ice cream cone on an outside wall, advertises “homemade hard ice cream” and “flurries.”

Biden ordered chocolate chip ice cream but was told they didn’t have it, so he ended up with one scoop of vanilla and one of chocolate.

Have a news tip? Contact Jeff Barker at jebarker@baltsun.com, 410-979-2052 and on X as @sunjeffbarker.