In August of 2012, the federal government approved the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) preferred plan for constructing this new bridge in Cincinnati. Project officials hope to have a final financing plan in place and to begin the necessary right-of-way acquisition process this year. However, the future of the project is still in doubt, with no federal money guaranteed for the $2.4 billion bridge project. Experts are currently exploring funding options, including using tolling to cover some costs or a partnership with the private company to help finance the project. It is unlikely that construction will begin before late 2014, and that is an aggressive estimate.