The Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority on Monday announced two significant moves related to the construction of the I-69 bridge.
First, the KPTIA approved an interlocal agreement that established a tolling body, according to a release from the I-69 Ohio River Crossing.
Second, the KPTIA approved a change in plans and will now recognize a section of U.S. 41 as concurrent route of I-69, according to officials.
Henderson County Judge-Executive Brad Schneider said U.S. 41 will shift over to run concurrently with I-69, beginning at a point coming from the Veterans Memorial Parkway onto I-69 in Evansville and going all the way to a point near where it meets with the 425 Bypass in Henderson.
According to Schneider, the current route of U.S. 41 that the new concurrent route with I-69 will replace will then be renamed. This U.S. 41 corridor will be signed Kentucky Route 2341 and Indiana Route 141, respectively, according to the I-69 ORX release.
It’s a welcome change to local leaders who have been pushing for the southbound U.S. 41 Twin Bridge to stay open, including the group BridgeLink, said Schneider, who is a member.
BridgeLink is comprised of leaders in both Henderson and Evansville who have been advocating that both the Twin Bridges remain open after the I-69 bridge is completed.
The release said that moving the U.S. 41 route to run concurrently in this section allows the states to seek to remove the existing roadway from the National Truck Network.
With this section of U.S. 41–including the Twin Bridges–off the National Truck Network, it could allow for lower weight limits to be imposed on the southbound bridge, which could keep heavy trucks off it while also adding years of life to it and perhaps even allowing the southbound bridge to remain open after the I-69 bridge is completed, said Schneider. Current plans call for the southbound bridge to be closed after the I-69 bridge is completed.
Schneider said it’s still too early to say what will happen, but called the concurrent route change a milestone. He said this change has the result of “making it more likely.”
Additionally, the KPTIA’s announcement of a tolling authority ensures tolling is a part of the funding equation to fund the $933 million financial plan approved last year, according to the release. Only the I-69 bridge will be tolled, said the release.
The Tolling Body will be comprised of the chairman of KPTIA, a person designated by the chairman of KPTIA, the secretary of KYTC, the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation and a person designated by the commissioner of INDOT, said the release. It is responsible for developing tolling policies, including toll rates and business rules for tolling, said the release. The group is expected to meet soon.
Finally, construction for the bridge is expected to begin in spring 2027. Last month, the KYTC identified three shortlisted proposers, which are expected to submit technical and price proposals this fall, according to the release. They are:
- Brayman/Ragle JV and Modjeski and Masters
- Lunda and AECOM
- Traylor/Walsh JV (ORX Constructors) and COWI
The contract is expected to be awarded by the end of this year.
“We are moving toward construction,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray in a prepared statement. “It’s exciting to see a project that has been championed for so many years become a reality. This is a project about connectivity, safety and efficiency. It’s going to mean a better commute for drivers and interstate connectivity that opens the door to new opportunities for Henderson and the entire region.”
