It has determined that the preferred alternative - an inclined arch  - will have no detrimental effect on the environment. The decision clears the way for work to proceed with steps such as right-of-way acquisitions.

However, funding is not yet in place for the project, whose overall cost has been put at US$2.4 billion including up to US$730 million for the bridge. 

The existing bridge, which opened in 1963, was designed to carry 80,000 vehicles a day but is now used by 160,000.