Work is nearly complete! Construction in Henderson will wrap up soon.
The two+ miles of new roadway between US 41 and US 60, the new US 60 interchange, and full operation of the US 41 interchange are expected to open in the coming weeks. Two additional ramps at the US 41 interchange will facilitate movement to and from the new roadway.
Welcome to Henderson lettering has been added to the new Airline Road bridge over US 41 that will welcome future I-69 traffic into Kentucky. This was made possible through collaboration with the City of Henderson and investment from the Henderson Leadership Initiative. With the help of the same partnership, similar lettering will be in place on the new US 60 bridge. The Henderson gateway sign at 2nd Street/KY 351 is closer to completion! The foundation has been poured. The sign is expected to be installed this month.
Paving and final surface work are complete throughout the corridor. A short-term closure of the Adams Lane bridge over US 41 will end by Sunday, Oct. 12. Crews are completing needed drainage improvements. These final improvements will complete the work and greatly extend the life of the bridge.
It’s been busy time for Section 2 of the project, which includes the future I-69 bridge. U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy recently checked out ORX progress in Henderson and Evansville by air via a helicopter tour and on the ground. He was joined by federal, state and local officials and reiterated the importance of this transformational project.
“I-69 is not just important for your two states. It’s important for America. It’s important for moving American products north to south and from south to north. We have to make sure to find those critical arteries and make sure to make those investments.”
– Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Department of Transportation
Just last month, 150 contractors, suppliers, and consultants gathered for an Industry Forum to learn more about the project. The Section 2 contract is expected to be awarded in late 2026. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and be complete in 2031.
Also, this summer, the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA) approved a resolution to enter into Bi-State Development Agreement between Kentucky and Indiana, a key step in moving toward construction of the new bridge.
New approach roadways and bridges are taking shape. They’ll provide all-weather access for crews to build the I-69 bridge. The project is on schedule and is expected to be 60% complete by the end of the year.
The longest of the three bridges is nearly 4,000 feet long. Eighty-four precast concrete beams were delivered and installed between July and September. The longest beams are 188 feet long and each weighs about 100 tons! These beams are among the largest precast concrete beams used in any construction project in the Midwest.
With all beams installed, crews are preparing to pour the concrete bridge deck for the bridge this fall. It will be a massive effort that is expected to include three separate pours. Each will include about 170 truckloads of concrete and last about 12 hours!
Beams for the other two bridges will be delivered and set in November and December. A total of 92 beams will be delivered from Decatur, Indiana, and will have similar short traffic impacts several afternoons a week as beams cross US 41 to Waterworks Road.