EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 8, 2025) – Today, Gov. Mike Braun hosted U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy with a helicopter tour of current progress on the I-69 Ohio River Crossing in Evansville and also made a stop in Henderson, Kentucky, to view progress on bridge approaches across the river.
“The I-69 Ohio River Crossing is a priority for Indiana, and Secretary Duffy’s visit demonstrates the vital role the future I-69 bridge will play in a new national interstate corridor,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “When this interstate is complete, it will stretch from Texas to Michigan. As the crossroads of America, Indiana is at the heart of ensuring a safe and efficient route for people and goods to travel the country. Completing this connection is vital to our state and our nation.”
During the tour, Sec. Duffy and Gov. Braun were joined by U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), U.S. Congressman Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), U.S. Congressman Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.), U.S. Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.), U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Indiana Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Commissioner Lyndsay Quist, and Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray. Other elected officials, dignitaries, and local leaders were also on site.
“I’m thrilled to have Sec. Duffy visit Evansville and see firsthand the progress being made in Indiana,”said Sec. Ubelhor. “Earlier this year, I joined members of our congressional delegation and other local leaders to visit Secretary Duffy in his Washington, D.C. office to share a progress update on this important project. It’s very encouraging to see those discussions followed by a site visit. Federal support will keep the momentum going for this crucial crossing.”
The I-69 Ohio River Crossing is divided into three sections for project delivery. Section 1 includes the approach work in Henderson. Construction started in fall 2022 and will be complete late this year. Section 3 includes the approach work in Evansville, where work began in fall 2024 and is scheduled to be complete in late 2026.
“Indiana knows the importance of completing the I-69 connection,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “We crossed the I-69 Finish Line in 2024, completing the connection between Evansville and Indianapolis, but we know our work is not done until this final piece is in place with a new bi-state bridge. This bridge will provide interstate connectivity that will benefit Hoosiers and the entire region for decades to come.”
I-69 ORX Section 2 is a bi-state project between Indiana and Kentucky that will complete the I-69 connection from U.S. 60 in Henderson to I-69 in Evansville. It includes the new four-lane river crossing. With funding identified, construction will begin in 2027 and finish by 2031. Preconstruction activities are underway.
I hope he was able to point out the importance of maintaining both existing Ohio River bridges and the importance of includingva pedestrian/,bicycle bridge across the Ohio River parallel to the new I-69 bridge.