Officials prepare drivers for two roundabouts by August, six by end of 2025

Henderson County drivers will be navigating six roundabouts by the end of 2025, a spokesperson for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing said.

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Three will be three at the Ky. 351/Second Street interchange, where construction is currently occurring, and three will be at a planned U.S. 60/I-69 interchange east of Wathen Lane, said Mindy Peterson.

I-69 officials set up a tent Saturday at the Tri-Fest to house a Roundabout Ready campaign with the goal of preparing Hendersonians to drive on the new roadways, two of which will be operational before the next school year begins.

Those two roundabouts are on the west side of I-69 overpass with Ky. 351 near North Middle School, Peterson said. The third roundabout on the east side of the overpass (closer to Henderson County High School) will be operational later in the year or early 2025, she said.

I-69 Ohio River Crossing officials Saturday educated the public and showed off some technology related to the roundabouts—including a virtual reality look at them. Officials were scheduled to return Sunday at the corner of First and Main streets.

Peterson said they came to Tri-Fest to attempt to assuage any fears that roundabouts may cause local drivers.

“We just don’t want anyone feeling anxious when they’re operational,” she said.

She said the opening for the first two is growing closer and “something that now is in the near future.”

Peterson said most people she encounters are curious and interested, though she knows the negative comments and questions will come.

She said that in other locations where roundabouts were implemented, people quickly adapted and ended up preferring them.

“It doesn’t take long for the initial anxiety to dissipate,” she said.

In other news connected to I-69, Peterson said that Section 1 of the project (the Kentucky side) is currently 45% complete and will be 75% complete by the end of the year. Section 1 is on target to be completed by late 2025, she said.

Construction of Section 3 (the Indiana side) will begin this summer, according to a flyer from I-69 Ohio River Crossing.

Work on Section 2, the bridge, is expected to begin in 2027 and scheduled to be completed in 2031, Peterson said. But that timeline could change, depending on funding availability, Peterson said, adding both states are searching for more federal grant money that could accelerate the construction.

Informational posters and flyers about the roundabouts have been handed out at numerous places in Henderson. Here’s a list supplied by Peterson of those locations.

Locations for Large Posters (24X36”)