Cincinnati will apply for nearly $33 million in federal funding for a bridge to maintain access to Cincinnati State as part the I-75 / I-74 rebuilding process.
The current Ohio Department of Transportation plan eliminates access from 74 to Central Parkway. An Elmore Bridge Connector would ease the problem, but the city does not have the funding for it right now.
Mayor John Cranley said contrary to reports earlier this week, the state will be involved financially.
“The state of Ohio has agreed to split the costs of this project, if it proceeds forward, 50/50,” Cranley said. “If we receive federal funds then we both have to come up with less money as a result, which is obviously a good thing.”
The Elmore Bridge Connector project has a $44 million price tag. Without the federal grant, the city would need about $22 million for the plan to proceed.
