Wedoany.com Report on Feb 12th, The Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority recently signed a new tolling agreement, advancing the $933 million I-69 Ohio River Bridge Project into its next phase. This new bridge across the Ohio River, upon completion, will connect Henderson, Kentucky, with Evansville, Indiana, and is expected to improve regional cross-river mobility while reducing congestion and delays.
The new agreement establishes the I-69 Ohio River Crossing Tolling Authority, responsible for setting toll rates and regulations for the bridge project. This group consists of the KPTIA Chair and designees, the Secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner, and INDOT Commissioner designees. Toll revenue from the bridge project will be deposited into the project's $150 million General Fund. Financial plans from both states indicate that revenue from tolling will be supplemented by federal and state funding.
KPTIA also updated the bi-state development agreement established between Kentucky and Indiana in August 2025, designating U.S. Route 41 as a concurrent route with I-69. The U.S. 41 corridor is designated as Kentucky Route 2341 in Kentucky and Indiana Route 141 in Indiana. This adjustment provides the two states with the conditions to remove this roadway from the National Truck Network, aligning with the overall transportation planning for the regional bridge project.
The bridge project is being advanced in three segments. The first segment covers the Kentucky-side approaches, including a six-mile extension of I-69 and new interchanges with Kentucky Route 351, U.S. 41, and U.S. 60. It is being constructed by the design-build team of Ragle Inc. and Stantec Consulting Services Inc. Work began in the summer of 2022 and was substantially completed by October 2025.
KPTIA expects to award the design-build contract for the second segment by the end of 2026. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has shortlisted three bidders. The second segment involves constructing the main river crossing, the core component of the bridge project, with construction planned to start in 2027 and finish in 2031. The third segment covers the Indiana-side approaches and a portion of the bridge structure, led by the Indiana Department of Transportation, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Upon completion of the entire project, a complete transportation corridor across the Ohio River will be established.
