WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate voted unanimously on Friday to approve a bill securing $250 million in emergency relief aide from the Federal Highway Administration to help rebuild the collapsed Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.

The bill waives the current emergency fund cap of $100 million and authorizes the reconstruction of this major transportation route.

The federal government will cover all relief construction within the first 180 days, and 90 percent of all construction payments until reconstruction is complete. The funds will be directed to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for emergency restoration.

The bill specifies that $5 million will go toward maximizing public transportation during the rebuilding process.

While visiting the collapse site early Saturday morning, President George W. Bush said the government will help expedite the rebuilding process by cutting through government paperwork.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Norm Coleman worked together with Rep. James Oberstar, the author of the bill, and Rep. Keith Ellison to get the bill through both chambers quickly and successfully.

"Norm and I are moving quickly to ensure all available resources are dedicated to Minnesota immediately," Klobuchar said. "We've received offers of support from every level of government, and we're actively working to turn those offers into action."

Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters released a $5 million grant in immediate aide on Thursday. During his brief speech at the collapse site, Bush promised that Peters would see the reconstruction to its end.