Kentucky, Indiana Sign Agreement To Move Ohio River Bridge Project Forward
Kentucky and Indiana have signed an agreement for engineering services and financial planning for a new Ohio River bridge carrying Interstate 69.
The bridge will connect Henderson, Ky., with Evansville, Ind. The project is titled ORX, with the letters standing for Ohio River crossing.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced March 28 that the states have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to move forward with the second section of the initial phase of the project.
“Completing this important interstate connection has been a top priority for my administration,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This agreement is a critical first step that will move us closer to construction. Bridging communities brings states together, and it opens the door to new economic opportunities. That’s why it’s so gratifying to see momentum on another Ohio River crossing in our state. Two transformational projects are moving forward with the Brent Spence companion bridge in northern Kentucky and now ORX in western Kentucky.”
The project phase focuses on preliminary engineering services, cost estimates, right-of-way plans, traffic and revenue forecasting and other services to support a future development agreement between the two states, the next step in the project.
Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb also expressed praise for the project.
“The Crossroads of America is more than a motto for Indiana,” he said. “That’s why it’s so important to see this generational project progressing forward. Our goal is to improve connectivity for all Hoosiers, and we know strong infrastructure puts us in an even stronger position for economic development and continued successes. Connecting our states will improve the region and make a difference for Hoosiers for decades to come.”
A request for proposal (RFP) for engineering services to support the project phase was posted March 14, and responses were due April 5 with a consultant to be selected by the end of April. Work is anticipated to begin this summer, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Both the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transportation will have representation in the management team, with the Kentucky delegation to administer the contract.
The states will evenly divide the costs, which are expected to be about $3 million.
Construction on the Kentucky approach to the bridge began in 2022 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. The bid for the Indiana approach is expected to be let this fall, with construction expected to begin in 2024 and to be completed in 2026. Construction on the bridge is expected to begin in 2027 and to be complete in 2031. Both states said they would explore opportunities to accelerate the project.
