Indiana Gov. Mike Braun on Friday announced completion of Section 3 of the I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project in Evansville during an event at the site of the future I-69 bridge.
Braun was joined by Indiana Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor, Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Lyndsay Quist, members of the project team, state and local officials, and economic development partners, said a release from I-69 ORX. Henderson County Judge-Executive Brad Schneider was also at the ceremony.
“Less than two years ago, we stood in a farm field,” said Gov. Braun in a release from I-69 ORX. “Today, the approach bridges are complete and provide a direct path to the future I-69 bridge. The bi-state bridge will complete the interstate connection between Evansville and Henderson, KY, and is the final piece of I-69 in Indiana. I-69 is a brand-new north-south interstate route that will eventually connect Mexico to Canada, and at the heart of that new corridor is Indiana, the Crossroads of America.”
The $202 million project includes some of the approach roadways and bridges in Indiana. Work started in fall of 2024 and is finishing on budget and on schedule, according to the release.
I-69 ORX Section 3 includes the approach roadways and bridges that will provide all-weather construction access to the river to build the future I-69 crossing. Work included three approach bridges, approach roadways and embankment along I-69.
“With nearly all of this area in a floodplain and knowing how important it is to maintain access to the river to build the new bridge, we built the infrastructure that crews will use throughout construction,” Ubelhor said. “Crews will cross these bridges with equipment and supplies and have a reliable, all-weather path to build the I-69 bridge and keep this vital project on schedule when construction begins.”
According to the release, the approach roads and bridges built now for construction access will open to traffic after the new I-69 bridge is complete. A contractor for I-69 ORX Section 2, which includes the river crossing, is expected to be named by the end of the year. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027 and be completed in 2031, said the release.
“It’s beyond gratifying to stand here today and see all that has been accomplished and to know all that is still to come,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “Indiana has led the way in investing in I-69. We’ve marked some big milestones along the way and today we celebrate another one. Crews here in Evansville have set the stage, and I’m elated to say that next up is the new I-69 bridge.”
I-69 ORX was divided into three sections for construction. I-69 ORX Section 2 is a bi-state project between Indiana and Kentucky that will complete the I-69 connection from U.S. 60 in Henderson to I-69 in Evansville. It includes the new four-lane river crossing. The project includes constructing seven bridges: the main river crossing, the Kentucky approach, the Indiana approach, and four bridges in Indiana.
The U.S. 41 interchange in Henderson will be reconfigured, the U.S. 60 interchange in Henderson will be finished, and the I-69/U.S. 41 interchange in Evansville will be completed.
