"This is just the beginning of the financial assistance we will make available to support the state in its recovery efforts," Bush said in a radio address before leaving for the disaster site Friday. The script was released by the White House.

"Several federal agencies are on the ground aiding state and local officials, including the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency," Bush said.

Law enforcement officials confirmed five dead from the Wednesday evening rush-hour collapse of the heavily traveled bridge into the Mississippi River. Hospital officials said more than 110 people were treated by Twin Cities-area hospitals. Eight people are still unaccounted for.

The cause of the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge is under investigation.