FAQs

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) are committed to completing this critical interstate link between the two states. The I-69 Ohio River Crossing project (I-69 ORX) includes a new 4-lane river crossing between Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky and 11. 2 miles of new interstate, including 8.4 miles on new terrain and 2.8 miles of upgrades to US 41.

I-69 ORX includes a new 4-lane river crossing to connect Evansville, IN and Henderson, KY and improvements on both sides of the river. It includes 11.2 miles of new interstate. Section 1, the approach work in Kentucky, will extend I-69 by more than six miles and includes interchanges with KY 351, US 41 near Kimsey Lane and at US 60. Section 3 includes part of the approach roadways and bridges in Indiana. The Section 2 project will complete any roadways and bridges that are not constructed as part of Section 1 or Section 3 work.

Construction of Section 1 in Kentucky started in summer 2022 and is expected to be complete in late 2025.

Construction of Section 3 in Indiana began in late 2024 and is anticipated to be complete in late 2026.

Construction on the new I-69 bridge is expected to begin in 2027 and be complete by 2031.

The purpose and need of the project is to complete the I-69 connection between Indiana and Kentucky, improve long-term cross-river mobility for the area, reduce congestion and delay, and improve safety.

The combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (ROD) approved by the Federal Highway Administration in September 2021 identified Central Alternative 1B Modified as the Selected Alternative. It includes a new four-lane I-69 bridge and retains one US 41 bridge for local traffic. It includes 11.2 miles of new interstate, with the construction of 8.4 miles of I-69 on new terrain and upgrades to 2.8 miles of existing US 41 to meet interstate standards. New interchanges will be added at:

• Existing I-69 in Indiana
• US 60 in Kentucky
• Existing US 41 south of Henderson between Van Wyk Road and Kimsey Lane

The ROD includes that one US 41 bridge will remain in service after construction of the I-69 bridge is complete. Only the I-69 bridge will be tolled.

Identifying the Selected Alternative was a multi-step process that included leadership in both states, the community and state and federal agencies. Central Alternative 1B is the Selected Alternative for the following reasons:

• Fewest residential relocations
• No commercial relocations
• Fewest impacts to the following resources:
  • Wetlands
  • Linear feet of streams
  • Floodways
  • Forested habitat and potential habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat and federally threatened northern long-eared bat
  • Managed lands
  • Section 4(f) resources including publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, or public and private historic properties
  • Sites with recognized environmental conditions, such as hazardous substances or petroleum products
  • Cross-river route redundancy for the region
  • Lowest total cost

Construction has been separated into Sections 1, 2 and 3. A financial plan was developed in 2021 and will be updated annually until construction is complete. The latest update is the October 2024 Financial Plan Annual Update.

The design for the new Ohio River bridge has not been determined. The FEIS/ROD established where the bridge will be located. A decision on the bridge type will be made during the procurement and final design process.

Improving long-term cross-river mobility between Evansville and Henderson must include a discussion of the US 41 bridges. The northbound span opened in 1932 and the southbound bridge opened in 1965. Maintenance costs are high. Indiana and Kentucky have spent more than $50 million on maintenance costs on the US 41 bridges since 2005. A report on the US 41 bridges finds it would cost an estimated $293 million to maintain the two bridges through 2062.

Due to its historic significance and serviceable condition, the northbound US 41 would be retained for two-way traffic.

A marketing plan will be undertaken to determine if there is any group or agency that would be willing and able to maintain and preserve the bridge for local use, which could include possible bicycle or pedestrian facilities. If there are no such groups or agencies found, the bridge could be demolished after construction of the I-69 bridge.

The combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision approved by the Federal Highway Administration in September 2021 identified Central Alternative 1B Modified as the Selected Alternative. It includes tolling the new I-69 bridge. Should the States find other funding or financing options that allows the removal of tolls, the FEIS/ROD would require updating.

Sign up for project updates by email here. Sign up for text alerts by texting “ORX” TO (866) 698-9381.

The Project Team can be reached in several ways:

• Email info@I69OhioRiverCrossing.com.
• Submit a comment online at I69OhioRiverCrossing.com.
• Visit the Project Office.
  • 1970 Barrett Court, Suite 100
    Henderson, KY 42420

• Call 888-515-9756.