First phase of I-69 Ohio River Crossing gets green light

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project in southwest Indiana is moving forward. The project team says the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision are complete, allowing for the first phase of the project connecting I-69 across the Ohio River to Kentucky to begin.

The first phase, known as I-69 ORX Section 1, focuses on improvements in Henderson, Kentucky and extends KY-452 to U.S. 60. Section 1 is being overseen by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, with construction expected to begin early next year and continue through 2025.

The second phase will complete the connection from I-69 in Evansville to U.S. 60 in Henderson with the Selected Alternative route featuring a more than 11 miles of new interstate and a four-lane, tolled bridge across the river. 

As part of the project, the northbound U.S. 41 bridge will be retained and converted into a two-way bridge. Meanwhile, the southbound U.S. 41 bridge is set to be removed once the new I-69 bridge is complete.

You can view the FEIS and ROD by clicking here.

Plans for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project were announced back in June of 2016 by then-Indiana Governor Mike Pence and then-Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin. The preferred route was identified in December 2018 when the Draft Environmental Impact Statement was released.