HENDERSON, Ky. — The first shovels of dirt have been turned for the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing (I-69 ORX). Gov. Andy Beshear, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, Henderson Mayor Steve Austin, Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider, and Evansville, Indiana, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke joined forces today to break ground on I-69 ORX in Henderson. They gathered at the site of the future US 41 and I-69 interchange in Henderson.
I-69 ORX is divided into three sections for construction. I-69 ORX Section 1 focuses on improvements in Henderson and extends from KY 425 to US 60. It includes an extension of over six miles of I-69, new interchanges with US 41 and US 60, and a reconstructed KY 351 interchange. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is overseeing the Section 1 project with construction beginning in earnest this summer and continuing through 2025.
Elected officials, KYTC members, Federal Highway Administration officials, I-69 ORX Project Team members, and crews from Ragle, Inc. were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking.
“This day has been decades in the making,” Judge/Executive Brad Schneider said. “We’ve seen the vision for a long time, and we’ve known what the I-69 Ohio River Crossing will mean to Henderson County and the entire region. We’re already seeing the interest and investment, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. This project will bring opportunities to our area for decades to come. Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication of many people, and I’m so glad to be here for this moment.”
I-69 ORX Section 2 is a bistate project between Indiana and Kentucky that will complete the I-69 connection from US 60 in Henderson to I-69 in Evansville, which includes the new river crossing. Design is expected to begin in 2025 with construction anticipated to begin in 2027 and continue through 2031. Both states continue to look for opportunities to accelerate that timeline. I-69 ORX Section 3 is the bridge approach construction in Indiana. Design work and preconstruction activities are underway. The Indiana Department of Transportation is overseeing this section and construction is expected to begin in 2024 and end in 2027.
“It’s a great feeling to stand in Henderson today, pick up a shovel and help turn the first dirt on this monumental project,” Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said. “The I-69 Ohio River Crossing will join our communities in ways not possible before. Interstate connectivity is a gamechanger, and I’m excited to see the growth and opportunities ahead for Evansville and Henderson. I’ve always seen the many benefits this region offers. With the I-69 Ohio River Crossing, we’re taking those benefits to the next level.”
More information about the project can be found at I69ohiorivercrossing.com.
Click here for more Kentucky business news.
