Indiana, Kentucky still seeking federal support for Ohio River bridge project
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Indiana and Kentucky are continuing to seek federal funding to support the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project. A previous attempt to secure more than $632 million in funding was unsuccessful, according to a spokesperson for the project.
The $1.4 billion project will connect Evansville and Henderson, Kentucky via a new, four-lane bridge over the Ohio River.
The first section of the project, which involves improvements in Henderson, began in 2022 and is expected to be complete in 2025.
The third section, which involves improvements on the Evansville side, is slated to begin this summer. The $202 million contract for that portion of the project was awarded last November.
Section 2 of the project involves the construction of the actual bridge, is expected to begin in 2027 and be complete by 2031. However, project officials say receiving the federal funding could accelerate that timeline.
Spokesperson Mindy Peterson told IIB last August if the states had received the full $632 million allocation they previously requested, the construction of the bridge could start as early as 2025. However, that funding request was rejected.
But, Peterson said Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear are working on a new bi-state grant application. And the Evansville City Council recently approved a resolution expressing its support for federal funding for the project.
“The I-69 Ohio River Crossing will be a vital connector for the region and also a key piece of a new national corridor,” Peterson said in an email to IIB. “We always appreciate the tremendous support we see for this project, like the resolution from the Evansville City Council. Both Indiana and Kentucky are committed to completing the I-69 connection between the two states.”
A total amount of new grant funding was not disclosed as the states are working to finalize their application. However, Peterson previously told IIB that if the project receives no federal funding, that shouldn’t stop the project from proceeding as originally planned.