Transformational project moves forward with groundbreaking in early 2022
Today, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announces Ragle, Inc./Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. as the contractor for the initial construction of the new I-69 Ohio River Crossing (I-69 ORX). Section 1 focuses on the initial alignment and corridor improvements in Henderson and extends from KY 425 to US 60.
The I-69 Ohio River Crossing is divided into two sections for construction. I-69 ORX Section 2 is a bistate project between Kentucky and Indiana that will complete the I-69 connection from US 60 in Henderson to I-69 in Evansville. It 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.
“We celebrate this major milestone for our Bi-State community and look forward to hosting Governor Beshear for a groundbreaking in early 2022,” said Bob Koch, the Chair of BridgeLink. BridgeLink is a non-profit advocacy group formed to promote the construction of a bridge across the Ohio River connecting Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky. “Momentum is in the air and though there is much work ahead, we celebrate this connection to I-69’s North terminus at the US-Canada border with the Mississippi River ports and global markets beyond.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the Evansville Region’s $50 million READI funding announcement to drive quality of place projects leading to population growth and Pratt Industries $500 million project breaking ground last week in Henderson. The I-69 ORX is one of many projects in the region’s development plan to become the talent and economic region of choice in the Midwest.
“The ORX project not only addresses a solution to long-term cross-river mobility, but it plays to the Region’s strengths of being in the logistical center of the United States,” said Brad Schneider, Judge Executive of Henderson, KY and a long-time BridgeLink board member. “Completion of the I-69 highway expansion is an opportunity to capture significant development opportunities as this critical north-South freight corridor is activated with new access and capacity.”
Next steps as released today by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announcement today: I-69 ORX Section 1 focuses on improvements in Henderson and extends from KY 425 to US 60. Construction is expected to begin in early 2022 and continue through 2025. It will extend I-69 by more than six miles and includes interchanges with KY 351, US 41 near Kimsey Lane and at US 60.
Click here to download the ORX Section 1 map.
