Progress is now being seen with the plans to build a new bridge connecting the states of Kentucky and Indiana in the US. The new bridge will span the Ohio River, carrying I-69 and is named the I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX).
An agreement has been signed between the authorities in the states of Kentucky and Indiana for the necessary planning and development works for the ORX. The cost of this US$3 million preliminary engineering package will be shared between the two states.
The bridge will link Evansville in Indiana with Henderson in Kentucky. The planned location for the bridge is around 4.8km upstream from the existing Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Bridges that carry US Route 41. The plans for the project date back to 2001. The first phase of the project is expected to cost $237 million and the new bridge will be tolled, featuring two lanes in either direction.
The project is being carried out jointly by the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Construction of I-69 ORX will deliver a key, final connection for I-69 between Indiana and Kentucky according to the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Construction will be carried out in three phases. The work for all three phases should be complete by 2031.
