The bridge collapsed Tuesday morning after a massive cargo freighter that had lost power plowed into the structure in Baltimore Harbor.
The bodies of two men have been recovered while four others are missing and presumed dead.
They were conducting repairs on the bridge when it was struck.
"Our hearts are with their families. And we are so sorry about this tragedy."
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said Thursday that recovering the missing workers and bringing closure to their families remained a top priority.
He also confirmed the Biden-Harris administration had approved his state's emergency funds request on Thursday, hours after it was submitted-- an extraordinarily quick relief payout after such a disaster.
Maryland officials said the emergency funds would support "laying the foundation for a rapid recovery" and that the state may seek more funds if needed.
Federal officials have reportedly told Maryland lawmakers the final price tag for a new bridge could be much higher than the $60 million approved Thursday -- at least $2 billion -- but that funding to build a replacement bridge must be approved by the U.S. Congress.
Moore said there was a quote "long road ahead" to rebuild the bridge.
"When you have a chance to see that wreckage up close, you fully understand the enormity of the challenge. This is an incredibly complex job and our timeline will be long."
A team of experts must first assess how to dislodge the vessel, which is loaded with thousands of containers and entangled in bridge debris.
Moore said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was bringing in the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to help with the removal.
