FRANKFORT, KY — The Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA) recently took another step forward in building the new Interstate Highway 69 bridge project, which will connect Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana. KPTIA approved an interlocal agreement to move the project forward by establishing a Tolling Body. KPTIA also approved updates to the Bi-State Development Agreement (BSDA) reached between the states last year.
The Tolling Body for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) will be comprised of the Chairman of KPTIA, a person designated by the Chairman of KPTIA, the Secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and a person designated by the Commissioner of INDOT.
KPTIA approved a financial plan for the $933 million project last year. It requires legislative action to ensure $150 million in general funds are available for the project. Tolling is a part of the funding equation. Only the new I-69 bridge will be tolled.
To improve safety in the area, KPTIA also approved a change in the BSDA recognizing that U.S. Highway 41 will be a concurrent route with I-69. The U.S. 41 corridor will be signed Kentucky Route 2341 and Indiana Route 141, respectively.
KPTIA also approved updates to the BSDA including insurance requirements and other items. The BSDA between Kentucky and Indiana was reached in August 2025 and includes the terms for financing, procurement, development, and construction of the new four-lane I-69 bridge and other elements of ORX Section 2. The financial plan includes toll revenue financing supplemented by federal and state funding sources from both states. KPTIA is pursuing a loan under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program.
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Section 2 of the ORX, the new I-69 bridge will be a design-build project, saving time and often identifying efficiencies to save costs. KYTC identified three shortlisted proposers, which are expected to submit technical and price proposals this fall. The contract is expected to be awarded by the end of this year. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027 and be complete in 2031.
