I-69 Ohio River Bridge

[Revive 755]

^ I think the bolded paragraph could be clearer - there was a brief expressway portion of US 36 from south of McKay Lake (about where the pavement changes) to near the west end of the western ramps at the MO 79 interchange that was upgraded for I-72.

I don't think the old bridge was wide enough to to sign for bicycles - see https://youtu.be/L3c-nB3_KGk.

[triplemultiplex]

The thing about bike paths is if you build it, they will come.  For what amounts to chump change for for a giant project like an Ohio River crossing, one creates an attraction in of itself for bikes.  You come to bike the bridge, even if you're not going to necessarily bike from Evansville to Henderson.  And you do it because it's cool.

In this case, it'll be far cheaper to include a little bike path on this giant new bridge rather than screw around with trying to maintain a massive, aging bridge just for bikes.  It provides a central node to expand a larger network of bike trails on either side of the river that feed the bridge.  It makes too much sense to do it, in my opinion.

[Plutonic Panda]

They need to build a bike path on this bridge just for people to have the option. They also need to have a second bike path goes directly into downtown Evansville. But this area is big enough where it could warrant to crossings and facilitate alternative transportation.

[silverback1065]

it would function like most rural paths. recreation. nothing wrong with that

[ITB]

Official groundbreaking took place yesterday.

https://www.wishtv.com/news/were-off-ky-in-celebrate-launch-of-i-69-bridge-project/

https://i69ohiorivercrossing.com/orx-groundbreaking/

https://www.wevv.com/news/kentucky/officials-break-ground-on-i-69-ohio-river-crossing-in-henderson/article_24906072-f242-11ec-82bd-2f5e8662ee4d.html

[jbrocato]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge. 

[silverback1065]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge.

gotta pay for it somehow.

[abqtraveler]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge.

The only way they could fully fund the I-69 bridge is to build it as a toll bridge. There just isn't enough money to build it as a free bridge.

[jnewkirk77]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge.

The only way they could fully fund the I-69 bridge is to build it as a toll bridge. There just isn't enough money to build it as a free bridge.

If only the sitting KY 1st District and IN 8th District congressmen could've worked across the aisle to get it in the infrastructure plan, like the Brent Spence bridge ...

[silverback1065]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge.

The only way they could fully fund the I-69 bridge is to build it as a toll bridge. There just isn't enough money to build it as a free bridge.

If only the sitting KY 1st District and IN 8th District congressmen could've worked across the aisle to get it in the infrastructure plan, like the Brent Spence bridge ...

that bridge is far more important than the 69 bridge. insane amount of truck traffic and it's on the top 10 worst bottlenecks in the us for truck traffic.

[jnewkirk77]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge.

The only way they could fully fund the I-69 bridge is to build it as a toll bridge. There just isn't enough money to build it as a free bridge.

If only the sitting KY 1st District and IN 8th District congressmen could've worked across the aisle to get it in the infrastructure plan, like the Brent Spence bridge ...

that bridge is far more important than the 69 bridge. insane amount of truck traffic and it's on the top 10 worst bottlenecks in the us for truck traffic.

I totally agree that the Spence is far more important, but I made the statement to point out that the SW IN/W KY region used to have clout enough (by way of having Congressmen like Bill Natcher and Lee Hamilton, and Senators like Wendell Ford) to get toll-free bridges built in areas not quite of such importance.

The Natcher Bridge was probably the last one outside of Louisville or NKY that we'll see.

[silverback1065]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge.

The only way they could fully fund the I-69 bridge is to build it as a toll bridge. There just isn't enough money to build it as a free bridge.

If only the sitting KY 1st District and IN 8th District congressmen could've worked across the aisle to get it in the infrastructure plan, like the Brent Spence bridge ...

that bridge is far more important than the 69 bridge. insane amount of truck traffic and it's on the top 10 worst bottlenecks in the us for truck traffic.

I totally agree that the Spence is far more important, but I made the statement to point out that the SW IN/W KY region used to have clout enough (by way of having Congressmen like Bill Natcher and Lee Hamilton, and Senators like Wendell Ford) to get toll-free bridges built in areas not quite of such importance.

The Natcher Bridge was probably the last one outside of Louisville or NKY that we'll see.

is there a need of a new crossing elsewhere though? i can't think of any myself.

[jnewkirk77]

Not in the immediate future, but in the next 20-30 years, who knows? Anything could happen.

[The Ghostbuster]

Is there any place along the Ohio River that you believe might need a new bridge, silverback1065? The only place I'd "theoretically" like to see a new bridge is perhaps one extending from the end of KY 841/KY 1934 and connecting it with IN 111.

[silverback1065]

Is there any place along the Ohio River that you believe might need a new bridge, silverback1065? The only place I'd "theoretically" like to see a new bridge is perhaps one extending from the end of KY 841/KY 1934 and connecting it with IN 111.

to be honest, no, seems like every logical crossing is covered (if we are only talking about indiana kentucky part) not sure having a bridge at IN 111 or IN 166 would really justify the cost.

[edwaleni]

Is there any place along the Ohio River that you believe might need a new bridge, silverback1065? The only place I'd "theoretically" like to see a new bridge is perhaps one extending from the end of KY 841/KY 1934 and connecting it with IN 111.

to be honest, no, seems like every logical crossing is covered (if we are only talking about indiana kentucky part) not sure having a bridge at IN 111 or IN 166 would really justify the cost.

Technically, the Ohio River *will* be getting a new bridge at Cairo.

[abqtraveler]

Given the population of the Evansville area and the age and narrowness of the US 41 bridge, that I-69 bridge really should be a free bridge.

The only way they could fully fund the I-69 bridge is to build it as a toll bridge. There just isn't enough money to build it as a free bridge.

If only the sitting KY 1st District and IN 8th District congressmen could've worked across the aisle to get it in the infrastructure plan, like the Brent Spence bridge ...

In times past, Congress could have earmarked funds for a project like the I-69 ORX...and perhaps the entire I-69 corridor while they're at it.  Since earmarks were heavily abused, Congress decided to ban them about 10-25 years ago to appease fiscal hawks.

[roadman65]

https://i69ohiorivercrossing.com/section-1-kentucky/

I see the upgrades to US 41 are in place and work is begun.  They call it Phase One. Phase Two starts in five years.

[The Ghostbuster]

This means exits 10 through 14 will have to be renumbered again when the Interstate 69 designation is extended northward toward the future Ohio River Bridge. It makes me think the exits should have remained numbered via their old Pennyrile Parkway numbers along this segment.

[jnewkirk77]

This means exits 10 through 14 will have to be renumbered again when the Interstate 69 designation is extended northward toward the future Ohio River Bridge. It makes me think the exits should have remained numbered via their old Pennyrile Parkway numbers along this segment.

Nobody uses the exit numbers, so it doesn't really matter what they are. If traffic is backed up from the NB bridge all the way to the KY 351 exit, local media will make reference to either Zion Road (the street name) or KY 351.

And the 425 bypass will always be the 425 bypass, even with part of that now being 41.

[roadman65]

I know this is fictional, but being it's part of an existing project I will suggest this.  US 60 once the first section is completed, should be aligned on I-69 when Section one completed.  The whole completed freeway should become also US 60.  Just designate KY 425 as US 60 and co sign it with I-69 between the KY 425 trumpet to the new I-69 and US 60 interchange.  Just have the current US 60 through the city become US 60 Business.

That would help with the signing of the Section One part, as it can't be signed as I-69 until the bridge gets done in 2027.  Just sign that as US 60 solo until they get Section 2 done.  I'm sure AASHTO would approve this.

[roadman65]

Also to note is this rendering of the planned KY 351 Dumbbell Interchange.  Whoever rendered it, has some of the semis use the roundabouts very reckless.  One almost lost complete control circumventing it.
https://youtu.be/tFoDG06s7FY

[RoadWarrior56]

In that roundabout rendering, it looks like the trucks that were having trouble making the curve should had been using the truck apron, since that is what the apron is for.  On an ironic personal note, the adjacent large building to the first roundabout is Henderson County High School.  My mother had taught English at that school for 17 years before her retirement in the 1980's.

[GreenLanternCorps]

For reference, posting a section 1 map, so people don't have to keep scrolling through pages to find one.

[silverback1065]

I know this is fictional, but being it's part of an existing project I will suggest this.  US 60 once the first section is completed, should be aligned on I-69 when Section one completed.  The whole completed freeway should become also US 60.  Just designate KY 425 as US 60 and co sign it with I-69 between the KY 425 trumpet to the new I-69 and US 60 interchange.  Just have the current US 60 through the city become US 60 Business.

That would help with the signing of the Section One part, as it can't be signed as I-69 until the bridge gets done in 2027.  Just sign that as US 60 solo until they get Section 2 done.  I'm sure AASHTO would approve this.

there's nothing saying they can't sign it as 69 until the bridge is done. it would terminate at an arterial, so it's good to sign as 69.