By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Leaders in Missouri and Illinois say they're optimistic they'll reach an agreement soon on a new bridge across the Mississippi River.
But despite some media reports, there is still no final agreement on a bridge.
The two states have been working since April on an idea for a four-lane bridge about a mile north of downtown St. Louis - a bridge that would not have tolls.
But MO-DOT director Pete Rahn says there are still major aspects that have not been worked out.
"Since April I've been hopeful," Rahn said. "And since April I've been hopeful we'd have an agreement shortly. I'm still hopeful we'll have an agreement shortly."
Original plans for a new bridge topped $1 billion, but the newest plan being worked on would cost $600-650 million.