Ohio River Crossing project breaks ground in Evansville
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The I-69 Ohio River Crossing project (I-69 ORX) has reached Section 3 as work continues on a new way to connect Evansville to Henderson, Kentucky.
State leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday in Evansville to celebrate the project.
Construction is set to start later this month and continue through 2026.
“Today signifies a key milestone toward completing the most direct, safe, and efficient connection between Evansville and Henderson. This additional crossing will open the door to limitless new opportunities for transportation, economic and community development projects,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a news release.
I-69 ORX Section 3 focuses on the approach roadways and bridges that will provide all-weather
construction access to the river to build the future I-69 river crossing. The roads and bridges that
are part of Section 3 will be used by construction crews to build the new crossing, and drivers will
use the roadways and bridges once the new I-69 bridge is complete.
“We know how important this future I-69 bridge is to Evansville and the surrounding region,” INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said. “Indiana has led the way in investing in I-69. Last month, we made the vital connection between Evansville and Indianapolis a reality and crossed the I-69 Finish Line, making it even more fitting that we’re here today, taking the first steps toward completing another key connection.”
Last November, INDOT awarded the $202 million contract to ORX Constructors, a joint venture between Chicago-based Walsh Construction Co. and Evansville-based Traylor Bros Inc.
The I-69 ORX project is divided into three sections. Section 1, which began in 2022 and is slated for completion in 2025, focuses on improvements in Henderson, extending I-69 in Henderson from U.S. 60 down to KY-425, with new and upgraded interchanges.
Construction on Section 3 in Indiana is slated to be complete in 2026.
Section 2, which is being funded as a collaboration between Indiana and Kentucky, will complete the connection between the two cities with the four-lane bridge. Design work is expected to begin in 2025 with construction taking place between 2027 and 2031.