Possible solution to come Friday for second Innerbelt Bridge

CLEVELAND - The fight to build the second Innerbelt Bridge in Cleveland continues, but there may now be a solution to money problems that put the project on hold.

Friday morning, Congressman Steven LaTourette and Congressman Dennis Kucinich joined Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Ohio Department of Transportation officials to announce a possible solution to get the second part of the Innerbelt Bridge project back on track.

In January, ODOT revealed the Innerbelt project could be delayed until 2023. The agency faces a funding deficit in the billions and dozens of projects might also stall if they can't find alternative funding sources.

Friday, ODOT announced the agency will apply for a federal grant to help with payment of overall deficit. Plus the agency will move to privatize rest stops on 'non-interstate' roads. According to ODOT, there is one such rest stop in district 12, which covers Cuyahoga County, Lake County and Geauga County.

$350 million is needed for the construction part of the project. The design phase has already been funded.

More money could also come from the Federal Highway bill, which is expected to be introduced in the Senate next week. Passage of the bill could mean an extra $12.4 million in federal funds for transportation related needs for Ohio.

The news conference was announced late Thursday afternoon and just a little more than a week after ODOT voted to move forward on plans to potentially delay dozens of new construction projects across the state.

If a project like the Innerbelt Bridge was delayed, many officials fear it would deter future growth such as the new Horseshoe Casino and Medical Mart -- powerful economic drivers for our city.