Was reading in the latest STIP for Kentucky today that Kentucky must keep the feds abreast of the big dog projects in Kentucky aka Louisville Bridges Project, Brent Spence Bridge, I-69 and I-66. Of those I see the first two as definite in the next ten years and a maybe on the third and dead on the forth. Kentucky should use money intended for I-66 on I-65 (six laning and Jersey's) between Bowling Green and Elizabethtown which is very dangerous and scene of some horrific traffic accidents recently.
Was reading in the latest STIP for Kentucky today that Kentucky must keep the feds abreast of the big dog projects in Kentucky aka Louisville Bridges Project, Brent Spence Bridge, I-69 and I-66. Of those I see the first two as definite in the next ten years and a maybe on the third and dead on the forth. Kentucky should use money intended for I-66 on I-65 (six laning and Jersey's) between Bowling Green and Elizabethtown which is very dangerous and scene of some horrific traffic accidents recently.
Seemed like I-65 was six lanes for most of the way from Nashville to Louisville when I drove it back in December.
Kentucky should use money intended for I-66 on I-65 (six laning and Jersey's) between Bowling Green and Elizabethtown which is very dangerous and scene of some horrific traffic accidents recently.
Seemed like I-65 was six lanes for most of the way from Nashville to Louisville when I drove it back in December.
I-65 is six lanes from the state line north to the vicinity of Exit 43, which is the Cumberland Parkway, and then from Elizabethtown (Exit 93) to the state line. There is a 50-mile stretch that is four lanes.
Does anyone know the status of the portion of I-69 that would connect Henderson, KY and Evansville, IN? I've read about plans for it in the local newspapers around there but haven't heard anything in a while.Here's a link to an article in yesterday's Evansville Courier-Press which states that I-69 Ohio River Bridge funding split will be 2/3 Kentucky and 1/3 Indiana: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/sep/18/no-headline---18a04i-69/
The total cost of the bridge and 13-mile section near Henderson is estimated at $1 billion, according to Ted Merryman, the I-69 Project Manager for Kentucky.
"Kentucky will be responsible for about two-thirds of the funding and Indiana will be responsible for a third of the funding," Merryman said in his overview presentation.
"The total cost of the bridge and 13-mile section near Henderson is estimated at $1 billion, according to Ted Merryman, the I-69 Project Manager for Kentucky.According to article in today's Evansville Courier Press, the cost estimate for the bridge plus the new roadway to tie into the Pennyrile Parkway has risen to $1.4 billion:
"Kentucky will be responsible for about two-thirds of the funding and Indiana will be responsible for a third of the funding," Merryman said in his overview presentation."
Was reading in the latest STIP for Kentucky today that Kentucky must keep the feds abreast of the big dog projects in Kentucky aka Louisville Bridges Project, Brent Spence Bridge, I-69 and I-66. Of those I see the first two as definite in the next ten years and a maybe on the third and dead on the forth. Kentucky should use money intended for I-66 on I-65 (six laning and Jersey's) between Bowling Green and Elizabethtown which is very dangerous and scene of some horrific traffic accidents recently.
... However, the governor couldn’t forecast when the toughest portion of Kentucky’s I-69 project — financing and building a bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville, estimated a few years ago to cost $1.4 billion — will be completed or even begin.
Beshear said leaders in the Henderson-Evansville area likely will establish a special authority to develop a financing plan, as is already taking place for a planned pair of Ohio River bridges at Louisville ...
The legislature has cut $1.3 billion out of the state budget over the past two-and-a-half years, state Sen. Dorsey Ridley told the Green River Area Development District's board of directors Wednesday.
"We've cut all the low-hanging fruit," the Henderson Democrat said. "Any additional cuts will be very difficult and will be long in healing."
"The next budget will be very difficult," Rep. Jim Gooch said. "The governor says it will likely be the most difficult we've faced." ...
Ridley said upgrading part of the Pennyrile, Western Kentucky and Purchase parkways to become I-69 and building a new bridge over the Ohio River at Henderson "is the next large infrastructure project for economic development in our area. But the bridge is the big cost factor."
Gooch warned that the I-69 bridge will be competing for funding with bridges in Louisville and northern Kentucky.
"It'll be very tough to do them all," he said ...
My guess is this will be a Breezewood situation for many years to come. Too bad the existing US 41 bridge can't be used for I-69 for a while, but the situation on the Henderson side would make that nearly impossible. I assume KYTC will be the lead agency for the I-69 bridge and approach project, right (therefore responsible for financing it)?The approximate 15-month old link in post quoted below is still "live"; I assume 2/3 share means KYTC will take the lead:
Here's a link to an article in yesterday's Evansville Courier-Press which states that I-69 Ohio River Bridge funding split will be 2/3 Kentucky and 1/3 Indiana: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/sep/18/no-headline---18a04i-69/
"The total cost of the bridge and 13-mile section near Henderson is estimated at $1 billion, according to Ted Merryman, the I-69 Project Manager for Kentucky.
"Kentucky will be responsible for about two-thirds of the funding and Indiana will be responsible for a third of the funding," Merryman said in his overview presentation."
For the first time ever, a Kentucky governor is calling for replacing the narrow U.S. 60 bridge across the Green River at Spottsville.
It's among more than $250 million in highway projects Gov. Steve Beshear is proposing for Henderson, Union and Webster counties over the next six years, although much of the work is so far off that he will be out of office before dirt is turned.
The six-year road plan is subject to revision and approval by the 2012 General Assembly, currently in session.
Beshear's recommendations include rebuilding the Robards and Sebree interchanges on the Pennyrile/Breathitt Parkway to help prepare the parkway to become part of Interstate 69.
But no funding is proposed for an I-69 bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville ...
Under Kentucky law, the governor sends a highway plan to the General Assembly every two years. It includes a blueprint for spending Road Fund revenues that will be appropriated in the new biennium — 2012-2014 in this case — and planning for the four "out years" beyond the biennium ...
Here are some highlights of the governor's proposal ...
I-69 routing: $1 million to review the planned route, or "alignment," for new I-69 roadway from the proposed Ohio River bridge to the Pennyrile/Breathitt Parkway.
Plans have called for the I-69 bridge to cross the river east of the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges and tie into the Pennyrile south of Henderson.
No funding is proposed for the bridge itself during the next six years ...
"The total cost of the bridge and 13-mile section near Henderson is estimated at $1 billion, according to Ted Merryman, the I-69 Project Manager for Kentucky.According to article in today's Evansville Courier Press, the cost estimate for the bridge plus the new roadway to tie into the Pennyrile Parkway has risen to $1.4 billion:
"Kentucky will be responsible for about two-thirds of the funding and Indiana will be responsible for a third of the funding," Merryman said in his overview presentation."
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/feb/12/lobbyists-to-be-hired-for-i-69-bridge/
The most challenging link for I-69 in western Kentucky will be constructing a new bridge across the Ohio River east of Henderson and constructing new roadway to connect the bridge with the Pennyrile south of town. The project has been projected to cost $600 million to $800 million, a funding challenge that Kentucky and Indiana officials haven't resolved.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/feb/12/lobbyists-to-be-hired-for-i-69-bridge/
The article indicates that Western Kentucky and Indiana groups have hired Appian, Inc., an Indianapolis firm specializing in transportation lobbying, to lobby for federal funding for the project. The groups concede that tolls will comprise part of the funding, but will only cover 26% to 43% of the cost.
I am writing this letter to you on the morning (significance to come) of Tuesday, Feb. 29, one day after returning from a trip to Washington, D.C., with a delegation of business leaders from Southwest Indiana and Northwest Kentucky to discuss our region's needs with federal officials. Our visit had a heavy focus on advocating for the completion of Interstate 69 within Indiana and Kentucky, as well as along the entire national corridor, and construction of a new Ohio River bridge linking Evansville to Henderson.
The visit included a luncheon meeting that was attended by influencers from many parts of the eight state I-69 corridor. Speakers included Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas; Gov. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky; Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky; Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear; Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Michael Cline; Jennifer Shepard, executive director of the Alliance for I-69 in Texas; and Mike Schopmeyer, past chairman of the board of directors for The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana.
During visits with our elected officials to discuss the highway and bridge project, we stayed on message. Key points of our discussions included:
Designate Interstate 69 a Project of National and Regional Significance in the federal highway reauthorization bill. This designation will make segments of the highway throughout the corridor eligible for programmatic funding from the Federal Highway Administration and partially mitigate the need for lawmakers to ask for large earmarks to help build the road;
Have the Federal Highway Administration appoint an Interstate 69 Project Manager. This has been done in the past for other multistate highway projects and there is enough progress being made along the entire national corridor — and awareness of the importance of the project to the nation's economic competitiveness — that a Project Manager is warranted;
The construction of a new bridge between Evansville and Henderson is critically important not only to our economic region, but the entire multistate corridor;
The importance of tolling and allowing public/private partnerships to be established to help fund our nation's infrastructure needs.
The Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Bridges, or more commonly referred to as the twin bridges by those of us who call the region home, were also discussed fairly extensively during our visit. We talked about the age of the bridges (northbound bridge was built in 1932; southbound bridge was built in 1966), quality of construction, usage (approximately 40,000 vehicles per day), the fact that the bridges are not earthquake or tornado proof, and the dramatic, negative impact that the loss of one or both bridges would have on our regional economy.
Which brings me full circle to the significance of the morning of February 29. Most of us watched in a state of great concern as the weather forecasters told us of an approaching tornado, while warning sirens wailed in the distance. It was a few minutes before 6 a.m. The tornado was taking aim at our fellow citizens and the twin bridges. I could hardly believe that I had just returned from Washington, D.C., to discuss our infrastructure needs the evening before, and was now sitting in my family room watching a very serious storm approach. Thankfully a catastrophe was avoided. No lives were lost. Property damage was significant but not great. The twin bridges remained standing.
We need a new bridge. We will make it happen.
This letter from SW Indiana Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Matthew Meadors (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/apr/09/no-headline---ebj_chamberfromthepresident/) seems to set forth a game plan to obtaining the other 57% to 74% of the funding for the bridge:
(1) get I-69 to be designated a Project of National and Regional Significance in the federal highway reauthorization bill, (2) have the Federal Highway Administration appoint a national Interstate 69 Project Manager, (3) maintain that the I-69 Ohio River crossing is important in both regional and national terms, (4) emphasize the age of the US 41 twin bridges, as well as the fact that they are neither tornado nor earthquake proof, and (5) emphasize the dramatic, negative impact that the loss of one or both of the US 41 bridges would have on the regional economy. Apparently, the thinking is that all of the above would make the I-69 Ohio River Bridge a high priority for a FHWA I-69 Project Manager.
I would never drive on the i69 toll bridge. Id take the old us 41 one evey timewe dont care because you dont use punctuation or grammer
The correct spelling is "grammar".that was my point
There were no points .... in your postsThe correct spelling is "grammar".that was my point
There were no points .... in your postsThe correct spelling is "grammar".that was my point
New Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke is calling for increased cooperation between his city of Evansville and Henderson on issues ranging from economic development to establishing a mass transit connection between the cities .... "Over the years, we've become much more aware of the importance of approaching economic development from a more regional standpoint," he said .... "I think we are at the point where we can step back and say, OK, what's the next step? What's the next logical phase to take this to our region, and not just four counties in southwestern Indiana, so our region — the Tri-state — can truly benefit," Winnecke said .... Meanwhile, concerning the challenges of securing funds for an I-69 bridge across the Ohio River from Evansville to Henderson, Winnecke said, "each community needs to be lobbying our respective congressional delegations to make sure this is a priority for both Henderson and Evansville." ....
There were no points .... in your postsThe correct spelling is "grammar".that was my point
I would still never drve on the I69 toll bridge over the Ohio River. They should just use the US 41 bridge.Oh, I don't know. It might be nice to have a bridge that actually has shoulders and meets interstate standards.
Believe me, as somebody who lived in Evansville for many years and still has family connections there, they need a second crossing very badly, even if I-69 weren't built, they still need another crossing.
I would favor I-164 becoming I-69 to the point where the new terrain road connecting to the bridge veers south. From that point west to US 41, it could be marked as "TO I-69", and US 41 could also be marked the same for that matter. When/if the new bridge is built, I agree something like I-169 would work nicely for the 2-3 miles left over. It jus needs to not duplicate one of the numbers kentucky already has planned.I think once the link from EV to Bloominton is open, there will be more movement to get a bridge finished right around the Green River Rd exit to the south. I'm sure they will obviously stay west where the Green River flows into the Ohio River. After looking at Google Maps, it's a straight shot to the Pennyrile from I-164, almost all farm fields. I hope it will be finished by the time Bloomington-Indy is finished.
Personally, I don't see why this changeover to I-69 shouldn't happen when the new terrain I-69 to Crane is opened. Other than new shields, mile markers, and exit numbers not much would need to be done. It would be pretty inexpensive.
What exists today around Henderson is a Breezewood situation with long backups at certain times of the day. The proposed I-69 connector on the Kentucky side from the existing Pennyrile to the new bridge seems like it will be pretty long. I wonder how long this will take to be built.
On a side note, I had an interesting thought about I-164 through the Evansville area. What would you guys say to having that whole highway be renumbered to I-69 from US 41 up to I-64. I agree with most of the posters here about the US 41 bridge and the need for an I-69 bridge, but looking at the Louisville area and the decades it has now been on the Ohio River Bridges project there, it could be a while for the I-69 bridge to be built. So why not just have I-69 run down I-164 to a temporary end at Exit 0 at US 41. Once the actual bridge is built and connected into what is now I-164, then you convert the stretch to the west to I-169 or something like that, but the rest of the highway is already signposted I-69. Exit numbers may have to be changed, but as I've heard with the Natcher Parkway, that isn't too much of an issue.I'm taking the opposite tack. Why bother converting I-164 now when I-69 still needs to be completed across Indiana and into Kentucky? Even when I-69 IN opens, until it links across the river, I-164 remains a stub on the system, and right now it's numbered as such. I wouldn't bother changing it over until it's ready to connect.
I assume the same reason I-181 became I-26.On a side note, I had an interesting thought about I-164 through the Evansville area. What would you guys say to having that whole highway be renumbered to I-69 from US 41 up to I-64. I agree with most of the posters here about the US 41 bridge and the need for an I-69 bridge, but looking at the Louisville area and the decades it has now been on the Ohio River Bridges project there, it could be a while for the I-69 bridge to be built. So why not just have I-69 run down I-164 to a temporary end at Exit 0 at US 41. Once the actual bridge is built and connected into what is now I-164, then you convert the stretch to the west to I-169 or something like that, but the rest of the highway is already signposted I-69. Exit numbers may have to be changed, but as I've heard with the Natcher Parkway, that isn't too much of an issue.I'm taking the opposite tack. Why bother converting I-164 now when I-69 still needs to be completed across Indiana and into Kentucky? Even when I-69 IN opens, until it links across the river, I-164 remains a stub on the system, and right now it's numbered as such. I wouldn't bother changing it over until it's ready to connect.
But that's different, because there's no planned extension of the highway. In this case, the rest of I-69 is coming along soon anyway. You'll have to change all the signs to reflect that the route continues past Evansville. You'll have to change mile markers and exit numbers because the new route won't hook around in a J shape.I assume the same reason I-181 became I-26.On a side note, I had an interesting thought about I-164 through the Evansville area. What would you guys say to having that whole highway be renumbered to I-69 from US 41 up to I-64. I agree with most of the posters here about the US 41 bridge and the need for an I-69 bridge, but looking at the Louisville area and the decades it has now been on the Ohio River Bridges project there, it could be a while for the I-69 bridge to be built. So why not just have I-69 run down I-164 to a temporary end at Exit 0 at US 41. Once the actual bridge is built and connected into what is now I-164, then you convert the stretch to the west to I-169 or something like that, but the rest of the highway is already signposted I-69. Exit numbers may have to be changed, but as I've heard with the Natcher Parkway, that isn't too much of an issue.I'm taking the opposite tack. Why bother converting I-164 now when I-69 still needs to be completed across Indiana and into Kentucky? Even when I-69 IN opens, until it links across the river, I-164 remains a stub on the system, and right now it's numbered as such. I wouldn't bother changing it over until it's ready to connect.
During yesterday's announcement about I-69 signs going up in Kentucky this fall, Gov. Beshear was asked about the Ohio River Bridge. Basically, he provided no real news other than speculation about the creation of a new authority to figure out financing for the project:
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/sep/01/no-headline---ev_i69/Quote... However, the governor couldn’t forecast when the toughest portion of Kentucky’s I-69 project — financing and building a bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville, estimated a few years ago to cost $1.4 billion — will be completed or even begin.
Beshear said leaders in the Henderson-Evansville area likely will establish a special authority to develop a financing plan, as is already taking place for a planned pair of Ohio River bridges at Louisville ...
This letter from SW Indiana Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Matthew Meadors (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/apr/09/no-headline---ebj_chamberfromthepresident/) seems to set forth a game plan to obtaining the other 57% to 74% of the funding for the bridge ... emphasize the age of the US 41 twin bridges
This month, I-69 advocacy groups from Indiana and Kentucky — Hoosier Voices for I-69 and Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwestern Kentucky (C-LINK) — will meet in an annual joint session, bringing together community leaders from both sides of the river in a continued effort to advance the project that will provide new opportunities to all eight states in the I-69 corridor .... While the two groups have much to celebrate, their work will continue on a critical, yet still missing link: a new I-69 Ohio River bridge connecting Evansville, Ind., and Henderson, Ky.
At this time we are covered by two bridges, one northbound and one southbound, between Evansville and Henderson. These vital links see heavy traffic daily from local commuters, local business traffic and cross state commerce.
In the months and years ahead, as I-69 is completed in Indiana and Kentucky, this traffic will increase.
The Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Twin Bridges have served our communities well. The east bridge was completed in 1932. The west bridge was open to traffic in 1966.
As sturdy and durable as these bridges have proven to be, they are getting old and will be further strained by increased I-69 traffic.
A new bridge project of this scope takes years and even decades to complete. As the bridges continue to age, interstate highway traffic will travel the bridges and through Henderson's U.S. 41 until our two states prioritize the identification of funding and construction of a new link.
The time to act is now. Hoosier Voices for I-69 and C-LINK encourage the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to continue work on forming the bi-state authority needed to construct the bridge and advance the appropriate studies necessary to gain federal approval.
The Evansville and Henderson metropolitan areas need this vital link to support the demands of a new interstate, provide relief to aging bridges and enhance the economic vitality of our region.
In this opinion piece (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/jun/23/time-to-move-on-new-i-69-bridge/), representatives from Hoosier Voices for I-69 and Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwestern Kentucky, in addition to emphasizing the age of the US 41 twin bridges, emphasize the increased traffic that the US 41 twin bridges will have to handle because of the progress made on I-69 in both Kentucky and Indiana:QuoteThe time to act is now. Hoosier Voices for I-69 and C-LINK encourage the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to continue work on forming the bi-state authority needed to construct the bridge and advance the appropriate studies necessary to gain federal approval.
Every once in a while I read something in the paper that I'd like to add an exclamation mark to. That was the case last Sunday when a guest column appeared concerning Interstate 69.
The point was: Now's the time to get moving on a new I-69 bridge between Henderson and Evansville.
We're not talking about moving dirt or even making drawings, but creating the bi-state commission that needs to be set up before anything else can happen. Let's get it done. ....
They called on the two states' transportation departments "to continue work on forming the bi-state authority needed to construct the bridge and advance the appropriate studies necessary to gain federal approval."
It takes a long, long time to get a bridge studied, funded, studied some more, designed, studied a little more and finally built. The sooner we get started, the better.
There's another reason to act now.
With plans for two new bridges in the Louisville area moving forward, it looks like the next emphasis by the powers that be will be on either our bridge or one replacing the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Northern Kentucky with Cincinnati.
Competing for attention with a big town like Cincinnati and Kentucky's Golden Triangle will be tough. Working in our favor is what seems to be a realization down here that in this day and age it's not going to happen without putting tolls on the bridge ....
QuoteWe're not talking about moving dirt or even making drawings, but creating the bi-state commission that needs to be set up before anything else can happen. Let's get it done. .... it looks like the next emphasis by the powers that be will be on either our bridge or one replacing the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Northern Kentucky with Cincinnati.
Competing for attention with a big town like Cincinnati and Kentucky's Golden Triangle will be tough. Working in our favor is what seems to be a realization down here that in this day and age it's not going to happen without putting tolls on the bridge ....
Plans for a bridge connecting Interstate 69 from Indiana to Kentucky are in the works.
The bridge, although it’s likely still many years from completion, is a joint project between the two states.
Executive Director of Hoosier Voices for I-69 Morgan Hutton says the new bridge will probably be funded through a public-private partnership, and become a toll-bridge.
“In this reality with gas tax revenues declining, which is the typical transportation funding mechanism, both sides of the river, in both Kentucky and Indiana, there is an acceptance that a toll may be needed to get that bridge completed,“ she says.
Last Friday, I had an opportunity to tour the construction along the new Interstate 69 route. As one travels north on I-164 and it turns into I-69, you can see the interstate stretch northward, it calls to be driven on and the opportunity to do just that was well worth being outside on a hot July day.
Our group, a mixture of business and government leaders, along with INDOT staff, met at S.R. 68 just past the “do not enter, road closed” sign to begin our tour.
We traveled along the new interstate, taking some temporary off road trails to get around a couple of bridge structures still under construction. The lack of rain in this area has been a benefit to the construction companies as they work toward the planned November opening of sections 1 through 3 of I-69. It is amazing to see the progress on the road. After months of heavy earth moving, pavement is now going down at a quick pace. When traveling the interstate at 70 miles per hour, you don’t take notice of the detail that goes into the construction of each mile. Along one bridge, we stopped and were able to get up close to view the details of the expansion joints in the guardrails. They actually slide up to six inches to account for the bridge railing expanding and contracting with the temperature fluctuations of the day. ...
The completion of Interstate 69 has been a business and government goal for years. With the opening of the next sections it is ever important that we continue to work with business and government across the region and the Ohio River to link I-69 in Kentucky with I-69 in Indiana. This further expands our regional economic growth.
Hmmm... I wonder if INDOT would give a tour to a roadgeek group for up-close-and-personal observations?
"First and foremost," said Ellsperman, "we have to do our part, which is to get this completed and get the segments completed through Indianapolis [a]nd then absolutely working with our neighbors in Kentucky because the benefits are good for all of our communities."
The problem here is that border that runs along the river. If there was one government that was concerned with the development of the whole region, there might be priority for the bridge. As it is, you've got one government in Indianapolis and another in Frankfort that see things differently. The folks in Indy in particular see connecting SW Indiana to Indy as the higher priority.
As someone who has driven US-41 between Evansville and Henderson, I see the need for the new bridge. I'm just trying to be realistic. I doubt that this bridge goes anywhere until the Louisville crossings are done.
The problem here is that border that runs along the river. If there was one government that was concerned with the development of the whole region, there might be priority for the bridge. As it is, you've got one government in Indianapolis and another in Frankfort that see things differently. The folks in Indy in particular see connecting SW Indiana to Indy as the higher priority.
As someone who has driven US-41 between Evansville and Henderson, I see the need for the new bridge. I'm just trying to be realistic. I doubt that this bridge goes anywhere until the Louisville crossings are done.
The problem is that KY is pursuing new bridges in Lousiville and doesn't care for the I-69 bridge.
The problem is that KY is pursuing new bridges in Lousiville and doesn't care for the I-69 bridge.
I don't think that's a fair characterization. Kentucky does care about I-69; witness the signing of the "Future I-69 Corridor" designations on the parkways, and the work to bring the WK Parkway up to Interstate specs. It's just that the Louisville and Northern KY/Cincy crossings are much more pressing needs. It's a matter of priorities; and for current traffic concerns, a new Evansville-to-Henderson crossing has to take a back seat to the routes already in existence.
Although I will go to my grave saying that the second Louisville I-65 downtown bridge is not needed.
The problem is that KY is pursuing new bridges in Lousiville and doesn't care for the I-69 bridge.
I don't think that's a fair characterization. Kentucky does care about I-69; witness the signing of the "Future I-69 Corridor" designations on the parkways, and the work to bring the WK Parkway up to Interstate specs. It's just that the Louisville and Northern KY/Cincy crossings are much more pressing needs. It's a matter of priorities; and for current traffic concerns, a new Evansville-to-Henderson crossing has to take a back seat to the routes already in existence.
Although I will go to my grave saying that the second Louisville I-65 downtown bridge is not needed.
I took a look at the 2012 Recommended Highway Plan (http://transportation.ky.gov/program-Management/pages/2012-recommended-highway-plan.aspx) to see what's projected for I-69 from FY 2012 to FY 2018.(above quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg131151#msg131151) thread)
New Terrain: A baby step - 2012 Project Review to locate the I-69 alignment around Henderson from the Pennyrile Parkway to the Ohio River Crossing (page 54/136 of pdf; page 54 of document).
In summary, Alternatives 1, 1A, 2, and 3 each have their own unique impacts. However, Alternative 2 performs strongly in meeting the project purpose and need, requires fewer acres of right-of-way and farmland than the western alternatives, utilizes 18 miles of existing Interstate highway, requires the fewest residential and business relocations, has the fewest number of adverse historical impacts, and is the least costly alternative. Given this comprehensive evaluation of impacts, Alternative 2 is identified as the preferred alternative.
... The project you referenced in your question is in the early stages of planning. The Recommended Highway Plan has money set aside for its construction in 2019. This is a target construction date and at this time we are uncertain as to if that date is realistic or not.
The problem is that KY is pursuing new bridges in Lousiville and doesn't care for the I-69 bridge.
I don't think that's a fair characterization. Kentucky does care about I-69; witness the signing of the "Future I-69 Corridor" designations on the parkways, and the work to bring the WK Parkway up to Interstate specs. It's just that the Louisville and Northern KY/Cincy crossings are much more pressing needs. It's a matter of priorities; and for current traffic concerns, a new Evansville-to-Henderson crossing has to take a back seat to the routes already in existence.
Although I will go to my grave saying that the second Louisville I-65 downtown bridge is not needed.
I said "I-69 bridge". The REST of the route is what they're working on.
The people in Owensboro disagree about the bridge priorities.
The problem is that KY is pursuing new bridges in Lousiville and doesn't care for the I-69 bridge.
I don't think that's a fair characterization. Kentucky does care about I-69; witness the signing of the "Future I-69 Corridor" designations on the parkways, and the work to bring the WK Parkway up to Interstate specs. It's just that the Louisville and Northern KY/Cincy crossings are much more pressing needs. It's a matter of priorities; and for current traffic concerns, a new Evansville-to-Henderson crossing has to take a back seat to the routes already in existence.
Although I will go to my grave saying that the second Louisville I-65 downtown bridge is not needed.
I said "I-69 bridge". The REST of the route is what they're working on.
The people in Owensboro disagree about the bridge priorities.
The problem is that KY is pursuing new bridges in Lousiville and doesn't care for the I-69 bridge.
I don't think that's a fair characterization. Kentucky does care about I-69; witness the signing of the "Future I-69 Corridor" designations on the parkways, and the work to bring the WK Parkway up to Interstate specs. It's just that the Louisville and Northern KY/Cincy crossings are much more pressing needs. It's a matter of priorities; and for current traffic concerns, a new Evansville-to-Henderson crossing has to take a back seat to the routes already in existence.
Although I will go to my grave saying that the second Louisville I-65 downtown bridge is not needed.
I said "I-69 bridge". The REST of the route is what they're working on.
The people in Owensboro disagree about the bridge priorities.
I don't even think you even live in the area, and merely want to see blue lines drawn on a map to satisfy your self road interests.
The current US 41 bridges are adequate and structurally fine. They may not be ten lanes wide with full shoulders, but serve the area well and have done so for decades. This is not a high priority project because US 41, a four lane highway with minimal intrusions, is not a significant burden to through traffic, and it is also cost prohibitive.
There are other projects that were developed far earlier and are much further along the design-review-construction process. They include,
a) The Ohio River Bridges Project, which includes the new I-65 Downtown Bridge, the I-265 East End Bridge and Tunnel, and the reconstructed I-64/65/71 interchange. This is a $4 billion project that will be tolled due to its expense. There are two functional interstate crossings in Louisville, and the Sherman Minton carries 80,000 per day while the Kennedy Bridge 122,300 per day - or 106% of its original design capacity.
b) The Brent Spence Bridge Project, which includes a new I-75 bridge separate from the existing facility. It is projected to cost nearly $2 billion and there is no funding. It has not yet received authorization for tolling, although both governors of Kentucky and Ohio are supportive of open-road tolling measures. The Brent Spence Bridge carries over 158,000 per day.
The US 41 bridges carry a combined 37,178 per day, a 2010 estimate. That is nowhere near their total design capacity.
And US 41 is between Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky - not Owensboro.
I agree that the bridges can handle the current traffic loads, and even a little more, but there certainly needs to be some changes.
I think a much quicker and cost effective response would be to elevate US 41 through the so called Henderson strip. This 3 mile section would be an urban freeway, with frontage lanes immediately below the highway on each side. Two interchanges, one at Watson Lane and the other at Marywood Drive. Eliminate the cross at the Wolf Hills Road.
On the north side of the river, northbound exit into Ellis Park, southbound exit at Trocodero and follow existing road under the highway near the bridges and back into Ellis Park. Eliminate the cross at Waterworks Road. That road really serves no purpose that can't be accomplished with Veterans Parkway, and it is a very dangerous intersection.
I think this can be done in the near future at a fraction of the cost of new highway and bridges, and accomplish what is needed for the immediate time. When funds are available down the road, a new bridge can be built.
I'm going by posters here - and Owensboro is nearby. You're the only one that thinks US 41 is fine.The problem is that KY is pursuing new bridges in Lousiville and doesn't care for the I-69 bridge.
I don't think that's a fair characterization. Kentucky does care about I-69; witness the signing of the "Future I-69 Corridor" designations on the parkways, and the work to bring the WK Parkway up to Interstate specs. It's just that the Louisville and Northern KY/Cincy crossings are much more pressing needs. It's a matter of priorities; and for current traffic concerns, a new Evansville-to-Henderson crossing has to take a back seat to the routes already in existence.
Although I will go to my grave saying that the second Louisville I-65 downtown bridge is not needed.
I said "I-69 bridge". The REST of the route is what they're working on.
The people in Owensboro disagree about the bridge priorities.
I don't even think you even live in the area, and merely want to see blue lines drawn on a map to satisfy your self road interests.
The current US 41 bridges are adequate and structurally fine. They may not be ten lanes wide with full shoulders, but serve the area well and have done so for decades. This is not a high priority project because US 41, a four lane highway with minimal intrusions, is not a significant burden to through traffic, and it is also cost prohibitive.
There are other projects that were developed far earlier and are much further along the design-review-construction process. They include,
a) The Ohio River Bridges Project, which includes the new I-65 Downtown Bridge, the I-265 East End Bridge and Tunnel, and the reconstructed I-64/65/71 interchange. This is a $4 billion project that will be tolled due to its expense. There are two functional interstate crossings in Louisville, and the Sherman Minton carries 80,000 per day while the Kennedy Bridge 122,300 per day - or 106% of its original design capacity.
b) The Brent Spence Bridge Project, which includes a new I-75 bridge separate from the existing facility. It is projected to cost nearly $2 billion and there is no funding. It has not yet received authorization for tolling, although both governors of Kentucky and Ohio are supportive of open-road tolling measures. The Brent Spence Bridge carries over 158,000 per day.
The US 41 bridges carry a combined 37,178 per day, a 2010 estimate. That is nowhere near their total design capacity.
And US 41 is between Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky - not Owensboro.
The other projects are further along because KY doesn't care two bits about the I-69 Ohio River Bridge. At the rate they are going, it will never be built.
Since you are in New York - I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since you really have no clue as to where Owensboro is in relation to US 41. It's over 30 miles to the east, and that town is well served by US 231's crossing of the Ohio River - which is a non-freeway, and the parkways that feed into it.
As for Henderson, the US 60 strip is deficient in that it is not free flowing, but it was never designed to be a freeway. A right-in-right-out situation would make the road more efficient and would be cost effective. If this alignment is bypassed, then upgrading it further in-place would not be necessary.
Here is the six-year highway plan that expired FY 2012:
I-69; PERFORM A FINANCIAL PLANNING STUDY FOR NEW I-69 OHIO RIVER CROSSING AT HENDERSON/EVANSVILLE. 2007
And:
"The development of a new river crossing has been recently proposed as part of a federally sponsored environmental study for routing the proposed Interstate 69 corridor across the Ohio River near Henderson. The KYTC will work to initiate a financial plan to outline a strategy of innovative financing for project development that will allow for the ultimate advancement of this proposed corridor. Future I-69 development plans will involve the Pennyrile, Western and Purchase Parkways. To help maintain these critical parkway corridors, the KYTC will continue pavement rehabilitation activities to improve and upgrade pavement conditions on these routes. The Enacted FY 2007-2012 Six-Year Highway Plan contains $17 million for pavement rehabilitation activities for these routes."
Here is more from the current six-year highway plan:
PROJECT REVIEW TO LOCATE ALIGNMENT FOR INTERSTATE 69 AROUND HENDERSON FROM E.T. BREATHITT PARKWAY (PENNYRILE PARKWAY) TO OHIO RIVER CROSSING. (I-69 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT). (10CCR) D $1 million, 2012
So - as you've been proven wrong again by folks who live in the state and by folks who actually work for the Transportation Cabinet, yes, Kentucky does care about Interstate 69.
Asshole much? Get off your high horse. (And before you argue with that statement, this is based on years of observation.) Because someone is in a different state, they don't know where Owensboro is? And how does that affect how much KY cares about I-69? Given that Indiana has concrete plans to finish 69, while KY is just getting around to studying the road that will lead to the yet-to-be-determined bridge (and no money for the bridge), that sure sounds like they don't care much to me. Just because you live there doesn't make you right.
...the Louisville and Northern KY/Cincy crossings are much more pressing needs. It's a matter of priorities; and for current traffic concerns, a new Evansville-to-Henderson crossing has to take a back seat to the routes already in existence
"I'm very concerned that there could be an I-69 detour" for which Owensboro boosters "could say, 'We've already got a bridge.' (In theory, the state) could extend the improvements already taking place on Western Kentucky Parkway (for I-69) over to the Green River Parkway," then upgrade that north-south route to Owensboro and redesignate it as I-69 — and I-67 — rather than have I-69 follow the Pennyrile to Henderson, where a river crossing remains a costly obstacle.
"I know (Owensboro officials) say that's not their intention," Sheilley said. "But it may be on the minds of other people."
A lot of this is word games, but what HB said is really accurate.
But completing the link by constructing an I-69 bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville — an undertaking that a few years ago was projected to cost $600 million to $800 million — remains a seemingly insurmountable barrier, even if, as expected, it is operated as a toll bridge.
At the recent annual conference of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development — made up of "a group of people usually informed on stuff going on," according to Sheilley — he was discouraged to find attendees saying they thought the I-69 bridge project "was dead."
"As much as we, this region, has fought for I-69, it's still not on the radar screen" of Kentucky at large, Sheilley said. "It's still not getting the attention it needs to go forward.
"I don't sense any major player in Frankfort advocating on its behalf," he said.
"It's going to take a governor saying, 'It's a priority. We're going to find a way to get this done,' " Sheilley said. "With all respect to Gov. (Steve) Beshear, all the focus has been on Louisville," where two new bridges over the Ohio River are being developed.
"There's not a (state) transportation secretary, a speaker of the (Kentucky) House (of Representatives), a president of the Senate — not someone who has a bully pulpit saying, 'Not tomorrow, not next year — this has got to be at the top of the list,' " Sheilley said of I-69.
Everyone up and down the river might as well hook up to the idea of paying tolls when they do finally get around to building the new bridges. It's going to be the only way of getting anything done, unless someone has a better idea. :hmmm:That was the way the old timers did it for major bridges.
Since you are in New York - I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since you really have no clue as to where Owensboro is in relation to US 41. It's over 30 miles to the east, and that town is well served by US 231's crossing of the Ohio River - which is a non-freeway, and the parkways that feed into it.Looks like I have a better idea of where Owensboro is than you do; I just measured it on Google Maps, and it's only 25 miles. Compared to Louisville, it's practically on I-69's front door. I would suspect that traffic moving from there to points west would indeed use US 41, since that route is mostly freeway.
Here is the six-year highway plan that expired FY 2012:I've seen routes much further along the process than that get cancelled. And unless KY does things a lot faster than NY, given the current planning stage, I'd say that bridge won't be built for another 20-70 years yet.
I-69; PERFORM A FINANCIAL PLANNING STUDY FOR NEW I-69 OHIO RIVER CROSSING AT HENDERSON/EVANSVILLE. 2007
And:
"The development of a new river crossing has been recently proposed as part of a federally sponsored environmental study for routing the proposed Interstate 69 corridor across the Ohio River near Henderson. The KYTC will work to initiate a financial plan to outline a strategy of innovative financing for project development that will allow for the ultimate advancement of this proposed corridor. Future I-69 development plans will involve the Pennyrile, Western and Purchase Parkways. To help maintain these critical parkway corridors, the KYTC will continue pavement rehabilitation activities to improve and upgrade pavement conditions on these routes. The Enacted FY 2007-2012 Six-Year Highway Plan contains $17 million for pavement rehabilitation activities for these routes."
Here is more from the current six-year highway plan:
PROJECT REVIEW TO LOCATE ALIGNMENT FOR INTERSTATE 69 AROUND HENDERSON FROM E.T. BREATHITT PARKWAY (PENNYRILE PARKWAY) TO OHIO RIVER CROSSING. (I-69 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT). (10CCR) D $1 million, 2012
So - as you've been proven wrong again by folks who live in the state and by folks who actually work for the Transportation Cabinet, yes, Kentucky does care about Interstate 69.
Put in a ferry from the end of the US 41 freeway to the end of I-164. Voila, no more intersections.
There was always a plan to finish out the southern end of the Pennyrile to I-24, but I honestly don't know why it took them so long to do it. I'm not sure, but the Pennyrile may have been finished before I-24 was built, so there was nothing to tie it into.
There were never any plans to extend the Pennyrile beyond its current northern terminus.
Asshole much? Get off your high horse. (And before you argue with that statement, this is based on years of observation.)
Learn how to quote properly....
[/ quote]
Asshole much? Get off your high horse. (And before you argue with that statement, this is based on years of observation.)
Cry me a river.
All of this because of a two (or however many it is) mile stretch of hotels, gas stations and fast food chains. I'm half surprised that Wal-Mart isn't on that road, it is nearby however.
Reading that article however about the "proposed" I-69 route through Owensboro, there is a mention that just the word "parkway" has negative conotations to it. Apparently, people think that parkways can only be windy roads with tree-line boulevards and whatnot and that putting interstate shields will make things much better in the Owensboro area. Is this really the opinion of most Kentuckians down there or is this just someone "hyping" the need for an interstate? I'm thinking it's the latter, but I just wanted to know.
However, by the mid 1980's the decision was made not to extend the parkway to I-24 (presumably to save money) and that R/W was sold back to the property owners.
Why doesn't Kentucky quit calling these roadways "Parkways", and call them "Freeways" instead? That might help their marketing issue short of redesignating all of them as interstates. In most states, the term "Parkway" implies no large trucks.
Why doesn't Kentucky quit calling these roadways "Parkways", and call them "Freeways" instead? That might help their marketing issue short of redesignating all of them as interstates. In most states, the term "Parkway" implies no large trucks.
And I have always wondered why the parallel US routes (US 62, US 41, US 231, etc) were not moved the parkways once the tolls were paid off.
However, I do hope KYTC is able to protect the corridor for the preferred alternative that was identified in the incomplete EIS. Because I think at that point, Indiana and Kentucky will get serious about buiding that bridge.
I agree, generally, but I would say once I-69 is through Bloomington and the Pennyrile Pkwy. becomes I-69, that pressure will be on. That could be more like five years. Assuming a minimum lead time of five years to get everything lined up, they had better get going soon, but I am not holding my breath. This may be a longterm Breezewood-like situation.
I agree, generally, but I would say once I-69 is through Bloomington and the Pennyrile Pkwy. becomes I-69, that pressure will be on. That could be more like five years. Assuming a minimum lead time of five years to get everything lined up, they had better get going soon, but I am not holding my breath. This may be a longterm Breezewood-like situation.
I hate the term "Breezewood" being used for this situation, or for situations where freeways have no direct connections and you have to use surface roads. Breezewood is a unique anomaly where the permanent setup is you have to use a small portion of a surface route to stay on the expressway. This will be more like it was back in the days when the interstates were being constructed and you had to, for example, exit I-64 eastbound at Frankfort and take US 60 or US 421 to Lexington to rejoin the interstate.
But this won't be the only situation. There will be several instances in Tennessee. South Fulton (not a full freeway interchange at the Purchase Parkway, US 51 and US 45/45E/45W) and the portion south of Dyersburg will be in existence for a long time to come before an Interstate is built.
From a pure I-69 perspective, you are right, but I suspect as many people would use I-69 as an alternative to I-65. I doubt I would ever take I-69 to Memphis, but I likely would use it to go to Nashville or points south.
From a pure I-69 perspective, you are right, but I suspect as many people would use I-69 as an alternative to I-65. I doubt I would ever take I-69 to Memphis, but I likely would use it to go to Nashville or points south.
Wouldn't the logical route then be to cross the river on US 231 and take the Natcher Parkway to Bowling Green?
Realizing that SR 37 is a pain thru Indy, Martinsville, and Bloomington, a good chunk of that needs to be upgraded. Then I would say when Owensboro has a better bypass. It is better than Henderson, but is still a pain going through there.
Realizing that SR 37 is a pain thru Indy, Martinsville, and Bloomington, a good chunk of that needs to be upgraded. Then I would say when Owensboro has a better bypass. It is better than Henderson, but is still a pain going through there.
There is currently a project under construction that will bypass that older four-lane stretch of US 60 that took on US 231 when the new bridge was built. It ties in to US 60 about where the 1990s-vintage construction ended, and then will tie into the Wendell Ford Bypass near the KY 54 interchange.
The MadisonvilleHopkins County Chamber of Commerce, as a member of Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwestern Kentucky, or C-LINK, a group of 12 chambers of commerce representing communities in 10 Northwest Kentucky counties, encourages our state and federal legislators to continue to pursue completion of Kentucky's portion of Interstate 69. Key to the I-69 project will be the building of a new bridge spanning the Ohio River between Henderson County and Vanderburgh County in Indiana and construction of a 10-mile stretch of connector highway around Henderson between the bridge and the Pennyrile Parkway.
I agree, generally, but I would say once I-69 is through Bloomington and the Pennyrile Pkwy. becomes I-69, that pressure will be on. That could be more like five years. Assuming a minimum lead time of five years to get everything lined up, they had better get going soon, but I am not holding my breath. This may be a longterm Breezewood-like situation.
I hate the term "Breezewood" being used for this situation, or for situations where freeways have no direct connections and you have to use surface roads. Breezewood is a unique anomaly where the permanent setup is you have to use a small portion of a surface route to stay on the expressway. This will be more like it was back in the days when the interstates were being constructed and you had to, for example, exit I-64 eastbound at Frankfort and take US 60 or US 421 to Lexington to rejoin the interstate.
But this won't be the only situation. There will be several instances in Tennessee. South Fulton (not a full freeway interchange at the Purchase Parkway, US 51 and US 45/45E/45W) and the portion south of Dyersburg will be in existence for a long time to come before an Interstate is built.
The term Breezewood is well understood, and while this is not identical, the effect is similar.
From a pure I-69 perspective, you are right, but I suspect as many people would use I-69 as an alternative to I-65. I doubt I would ever take I-69 to Memphis, but I likely would use it to go to Nashville or points south.
the November 25 Henderson Gleaner has an interview with Kevin Sheilley, the outgoing president and CEO of Northwest Kentucky Forward (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/nov/25/looking-into-future/):Quote"As much as we, this region, has fought for I-69, it's still not on the radar screen" of Kentucky at large, Sheilley said. "It's still not getting the attention it needs to go forward.
"I don't sense any major player in Frankfort advocating on its behalf," he said.
"It's going to take a governor saying, 'It's a priority. We're going to find a way to get this done,' " Sheilley said. "With all respect to Gov. (Steve) Beshear, all the focus has been on Louisville," where two new bridges over the Ohio River are being developed.
This article (http://surfky.com/index.php/communities/55-local-hopkins-top-news/23934-legislators-address-vital-community-projects-at-chamber-breakfast) reports on Kevin McLaren of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet addressing the Kentucky portion of the I-69 project at the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce 2013 Legislative Priorities breakfast on December 13, in which event literature described the Ohio River bridge as being "key":QuoteThe MadisonvilleHopkins County Chamber of Commerce, as a member of Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwestern Kentucky, or C-LINK, a group of 12 chambers of commerce representing communities in 10 Northwest Kentucky counties, encourages our state and federal legislators to continue to pursue completion of Kentucky's portion of Interstate 69. Key to the I-69 project will be the building of a new bridge spanning the Ohio River between Henderson County and Vanderburgh County in Indiana and construction of a 10-mile stretch of connector highway around Henderson between the bridge and the Pennyrile Parkway.However, Chamber member businesses prioritized eight local projects, and I-69 (including the Ohio River bridge) only ranked as the fourth highest priority. The twin bridges must be a doing a good job at the present time.
I would say once I-69 is through Bloomington and the Pennyrile Pkwy. becomes I-69, that pressure will be on. That could be more like five years. Assuming a minimum lead time of five years to get everything lined up, they had better get going soon
The chamber strongly encourages Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration to designate Interstate 69 as a Project of National and Regional Significance and to accelerate funding for a new Interstate 69 Ohio River bridge. The chamber further supports the efforts of CLINK and Hoosier Voices for I-69 in advocating for the advancement of the studies necessary to obtain federal and state funding to swiftly construct this vital new bridge.
The chamber will continue to work diligently with C-LINK, Hoosier Voices, the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana and state governmental agencies to encourage the utilization of alternative funding mechanisms such as tolling or to expedite this essential construction project.
Projects of National and Regional Significance [1120]
MAP-21 authorizes $500 million from the General Fund (subject to appropriation) in FY 2013 only, to fund critical high-cost surface transportation capital projects that will accomplish national goals, such as generating national/regional economic benefits and improving safety, and that are difficult to complete with existing Federal, State, local, and private funds. States, tribes, transit agencies, and multi-State or multi-jurisdictional groups of these entities are eligible to apply for competitive grant funding.
David Dixon, editor of the Henderson Gleaner, (http://www.courierpress.com/staff/david-dixon/) seconds the call for creating the bi-state authority in this editorial (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/jun/30/another-vote-for-action-on-bridge/)QuoteWe're not talking about moving dirt or even making drawings, but creating the bi-state commission that needs to be set up before anything else can happen. Let's get it done .... Competing for attention with a big town like Cincinnati and Kentucky's Golden Triangle will be tough.
Pushing for construction of an Interstate 69 bridge can unite business interests on both sides of the Ohio River, the new president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana said Thursday.
“Yes, we’re Hoosiers, and we’re Wildcats, (but) these bridges connect us,” Christy Gillenwater, who took the helm of the Evansville chamber in December, declared at a Henderson Chamber of Commerce breakfast ....
Securing necessary funding from Kentucky and Indiana — even with the likelihood that tolls would be collected on the bridge — is proving a challenge, particularly with Kentucky already working with Indiana to construct two new interstate bridges across the Ohio River at Louisville and while Northern Kentucky is lobbying for a new I-75 bridge to Cincinnati.
But Gillenwater noted that groups on both sides of the river — Hoosier Voices for I-69 and the Chamber Leadership Initiative of Northwest Kentucky (C-LINK) — continue to jointly advocate for the bridge here.
“We need to come to your aid and partner with you and move forward collectively,” she said.
Gillenwater isn’t new to facing obstacles to I-69. Before coming to Evansville, she had been president and CEO since 2005 of the Greater Bloomington (Ind.) Chamber of Commerce. There was organized opposition to construction of the interstate there for reasons ranging from environmental issues to concerns that an interstate would harm Bloomington’s small-town atmosphere ....
Surprisingly, this March 6, 2012 article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/mar/06/i-69-improvements-begin-on-western-ky-parkway/) provides a cost estimate for the I-69 Ohio River Bridge and the new roadway to connect to the Pennyrile that is significantly less than the above two estimates:"The total cost of the bridge and 13-mile section near Henderson is estimated at $1 billionAccording to article in today's Evansville Courier Press, the cost estimate for the bridge plus the new roadway to tie into the Pennyrile Parkway has risen to $1.4 billion:
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/feb/12/lobbyists-to-be-hired-for-i-69-bridge/QuoteThe most challenging link for I-69 in western Kentucky will be constructing a new bridge across the Ohio River east of Henderson and constructing new roadway to connect the bridge with the Pennyrile south of town. The project has been projected to cost $600 million to $800 million, a funding challenge that Kentucky and Indiana officials haven't resolved.I suppose it is possible that the $600 million to $800 million estimate is for the bridge alone, although the wording in the article seems to indicate otherwise.
Does anyone know if KYTC has started the Project Review for the alignment around Henderson? - edit - I recently received an email reply to this question from KYTC (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg187836#msg187836):Quote... The project you referenced in your question is in the early stages of planning. The Recommended Highway Plan has money set aside for its construction in 2019. This is a target construction date and at this time we are uncertain as to if that date is realistic or not.
State Rep. Sannie Overly has filed a bill that will allow the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to explore public-private partnerships to help construction projects with big price tags .... "This bill is not designed for any one particular project, it is really nothing more than an additional tool in the toolbox of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet," she said.
In public-private partnerships, companies contribute to the construction costs in exchange for access to revenue sources, such as tolls. Under Overly's bill, the public-private option would be available only to so-called mega-projects, which is any project which costs more than $500 million.
As legislators who have been involved in the I-69 corridor project for a number of years, we were very disappointed to read the article diminishing the importance of Interstate 69 in Kentucky .... The reporters fail to note, however, that completion of the new I-69 bridge between Henderson and Evansville will, in fact, help the current system, too.
There are now two bridges at that location, one carrying northbound and one carrying southbound traffic. The first was built in 1932 and the second in 1966. The bridges are gridlocked at rush hours, operating at the lowest level of efficiency.
The anticipated increase in traffic flow along the upgraded I-69 corridor will dramatically alleviate the pressure on the current system. This isn't a frivolous choice, but one that is necessary to keep the Kentucky economy moving forward.
The reporters' intent was to take a critical view of infrastructure building, but they merely highlighted a much bigger concern that many of us have about our road infrastructure. The reason that funding for the I-69 bridge project has not been identified is that Kentucky and Indiana have been working through a backlog of necessary projects.
The federal gas tax has not changed since 1993 and has 35 percent less purchasing power today. With the costs to build far outpacing the revenues raised, it is no wonder that projects always take several years to build and that states must be creative in finding funding for their projects.
The citizens of Western Kentucky stepped up to build the former parkway system with tolls, allowing federal and state gas taxes to be used on roads elsewhere in the state. It is time the rest of the state recognized the needs of Western Kentucky as well.
David Dixon, editor of the Henderson Gleaner, (http://www.courierpress.com/staff/david-dixon/) seconds the call for creating the bi-state authority in this editorial (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/jun/30/another-vote-for-action-on-bridge/)This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/feb/14/30pt-hed1-10-hed1-10-inches-p/) reports that the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce has hired the former president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Christy Gillenwater, to be its president and CEO. Although the article does not discuss a bi-state commission, Gillenwater is presented as having survived the Bloomington I-69 wars and that she is making the I-69 Ohio River bridge a priorityQuoteWe're not talking about moving dirt or even making drawings, but creating the bi-state commission that needs to be set up before anything else can happen. Let's get it done
As our top public policy priority, The Chamber supports Hoosier Voices for I-69 and C-LINK in encouraging the formation of a Bi-State Authority that would advance the studies necessary to gain federal funding to construct a new I-69 bridge connecting Evansville to Henderson, Ky.
We’re no closer to knowing when or if Kentucky will be able to undertake the estimated $1.4 billion construction of an Interstate 69 bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville.
That’s largely because the state is already engaged in the $2.6-billion project to build two new Ohio River interstate bridges at Louisville (while the pressure continues for a new I-75 bridge between northern Kentucky and Cincinnati).
But the Louisville project might shed light on how much vehicles would have to pay in tolls to help pay for a new bridge here.
A consultant for the Louisville bridges last week said tolls there would likely be $1 for a car or light truck with a “frequent user” transponder; $2 for other two-axle vehicles; $5 for medium-sized trucks; and $10 for heavy trucks.
Those assumed rates were presented to the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority, which will be selling toll revenue bonds to help finance the new bridge in downtown Louisville for northbound I-65 traffic.
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke wants leaders in both Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky to repeatedly stress the importance of the I-69 Ohio River Bridge (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/may/10/evansville-mayor-wants-to-see-more-cooperation/) to their respective congressional delegations in order to eventually get federal money/assistance to make the bridge a reality:QuoteNew Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke .... concerning the challenges of securing funds for an I-69 bridge across the Ohio River from Evansville to Henderson, Winnecke said, "each community needs to be lobbying our respective congressional delegations to make sure this is a priority for both Henderson and Evansville."
" I-69 is more than just a route between Evansville and Indianapolis. It's really a route to the south, too. So until a bridge over the Ohio River designated for Interstate 69 is built, I-69 will be an incomplete project," Mayor Winnecke said. "Mayor Austin and I have committed to each other and to our communities that we will be advocates to renew the discussion on building a new bridge over the Ohio River."
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/feb/14/30pt-hed1-10-hed1-10-inches-p/) reports that the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce has hired the former president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Christy Gillenwater, to be its president and CEO. Although the article does not discuss a bi-state commission, Gillenwater is presented as having survived the Bloomington I-69 wars and that she is making the I-69 Ohio River bridge a priority
Traffic counts on the U.S. 41 bridges are currently third of the 10 bridges crossing the Ohio River connecting Indiana with Kentucky. With the impending completion of I-69 in the two states, daily traffic will undoubtedly increase.
The Southwest Indiana regional business community was recently identified as one of the highest volume urban shipping hubs in the nation, thanks to diversified intermodal transportation links. Yet, the U.S. 41 bridges serve, without redundancy, one corridor. In comparison, the Louisville MSA will soon have four Ohio River bridges; the Owensboro/Paducah MSA is serviced by two bridges; and the Cincinnati MSA has seven Ohio River bridges. The Southwest Indiana/Henderson MSA is the largest MSA in the region with a single highway river crossing.
... our U.S. 41 bridges do not meet current earthquake standards, and as traffic increases in the coming years, we can only expect that more bottlenecking will occur on the highway. Challenged with at-grade intersections, stoplights, driveways and many traffic intersections, the critical 8-mile segment most certainly creates looming transportation hazards for the region. Although the U.S. 41 bridges are accepted as sturdy and durable today, the infrastructure is quickly aging and will be disproportionately strained by the increased I-69 traffic.
The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana supports the efforts of Hoosier Voices for I-69 and Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwestern Kentucky (C-LINK) as they encourage the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to act creatively in formulating a plan to fund the completion of a new I-69 bridge. And, as funding becomes increasingly limited at both the state and federal levels, The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana will continue to work closely with Hoosier Voices for I-69 and C-LINK to identify and encourage the use of alternative funding mechanisms, such as tolling and public-private partnerships, to expedite the construction of the much-needed I-69 bridge.
A Henderson Gleaner editorial (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/mar/24/coal-baron-with-mines-here-a-top-bluegrass-poll/) looks to the Louisville Ohio River bridges project to formulate a guesstimate of what the tolls might be on the I-69 Ohio River bridge:Quotethe Louisville project might shed light on how much vehicles would have to pay in tolls to help pay for a new bridge here.
A consultant for the Louisville bridges last week said tolls there would likely be $1 for a car or light truck with a “frequent user” transponder; $2 for other two-axle vehicles; $5 for medium-sized trucks; and $10 for heavy trucks.
In this Inside Indiana Business interview (http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/video.asp?v=2263834511001&tags=03%2D31%2D2013), Gillenwater speaks about how long it takes to put a bridge project together and that "of course, it's Kentucky's bridge".
The latest cost estimate, which dates from 2008, is $1.4 billion for the Ohio River crossing and its related highway approaches. “Right now, it’s not an affordable project for us.
“To be honest, $1.4 billion is very challenging in these times,” said Valentine, adding that the gas tax doesn’t cover costs like it once did.
Kentucky’s six-year road plan, which guides all state highway construction, provides $1 million to study ways to make the bridge more affordable and Valentine said he thinks costs can be shaved, but a toll might be necessary ....
Valentine gave some ball-park estimates on what kind of toll prices motorists could expect on a new bridge, based on what is being proposed for the new bridges at Louisville. The rates being looked at there are $1 for a frequent user.
“In preliminary studies we defined a frequent user as someone who used the bridge 20 times a month in both directions.” Non-frequent users would pay $2, while the price would be $5 for “box-type trucks and commercial-type trucks” and $10 for tractor-trailer rigs.
Does anyone know if KYTC has started the Project Review for the alignment around Henderson? - edit - I recently received an email reply to this question from KYTC (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg187836#msg187836):Quote... The project you referenced in your question is in the early stages of planning. The Recommended Highway Plan has money set aside for its construction in 2019. This is a target construction date and at this time we are uncertain as to if that date is realistic or not.
Kentucky’s six-year road plan, which guides all state highway construction, provides $1 million to study ways to make the bridge more affordable and Valentine said he thinks costs can be shaved, but a toll might be necessary.
The preferred corridor branches off from the Pennyrile Parkway south of Henderson “what I consider way early,” which will require the construction of about nine miles of new highway at a cost of about $10 million a mile. He said highway officials will look at branching off closer to Henderson.
Having two controlled access highways paralleling one another in that stretch doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, he said, so highway officials will be looking at branching off closer to Henderson.
... a separate standalone forecast was developed for SIU 4, which includes a bridge across the Ohio River. The standalone forecast is based on the assumption that the remaining segments of I‐69 are open to traffic. The limits of this standalone project include only the new alignment component of SIU 4, which includes 1.4 and 7.8 miles of roadway approach in Indiana and Kentucky, respectively, and the 4‐mile bridge. Although the bridge is entirely within the state of Kentucky, per preliminary discussions between Kentucky and Indiana, Kentucky will assume 2/3 of the bridge cost, and Indiana will assume the remaining 1/3. Based on these discussions, toll revenue was also divided between the states following this methodology.
Below are the major assumptions for the tolled traffic and toll revenue forecasts:
1. Opening year is 2025
2. Assumes all ETC (transponder and video) and all vehicles pay a toll
3. Toll gantries are located approximately every 20 miles
4. Toll rate:
o Analysis assumed a 2011 per mile toll rate of $0.15 per mile for passenger cars, which equates to $0.227 per mile in 2025 dollars (assuming 3 percent annual inflation). The analysis assumed that the toll rate will be consistent along the entire corridor and that trucks with more than two axles will be tolled at the (N‐1) axles × passenger car rate.
o Analysis assumed a bridge toll rate of $2.50 per trip in 2012 dollars
5. Toll rate escalation is 3.0 percent annually
....
a separate analysis was conducted for SIU 4 as a standalone project. Consistent with a similar study conducted in 2008, the scope of the standalone scenario included only the new bridge and approach portion of SIU 4. Therefore, the existing roadway in Indiana that will likely require minimal upgrades was not included in the scope of the standalone scenario. The results of the SIU 4 standalone scenario are presented in Table 16. The results for the SIU 4 corridor scenario are provided in Table 16 for comparative purposes.
As noted in Table 16, the feasibility ratios decrease significantly for Indiana in the standalone scenario relative to the corridor scenario. The primary reason for this reduction is that there is a significant drop in revenues with the removal of the existing segment in Indiana under the standalone scenario and only a minimal cost reduction. As previously stated, the cost to upgrade the existing segment is anticipated to be minimal. The cost reduction occurs due to the exclusion of a toll gantry that is included on the existing section under the corridor scenario.
The Kentucky feasibility ratio remains consistent across the two scenarios although there is a slight increase in the 2012 project cost. The similar ratios occur because the project scope for the Kentucky portion of SIU 4 is essentially the same under both the corridor and standalone scenarios. The slight increase in cost under the standalone scenario occurs because the host system costs, while less overall for the standalone scenario than the corridor scenario, are shared by two rather than seven states.
I think the Ohio River Bridge needs to be cancelled. People have been driving the US 41 bridge for years. Who cares if it doesn't have wide enough shoulders? If you can't stay in your lane you shouldn't be driving. Eventually when the bridges need redone, you can put them under construction an do what their doing in Louisville. Building brand new bridges would be a waste of money.
I think the Ohio River Bridge needs to be cancelled. People have been driving the US 41 bridge for years. Who cares if it doesn't have wide enough shoulders? If you can't stay in your lane you shouldn't be driving. Eventually when the bridges need redone, you can put them under construction an do what their doing in Louisville. Building brand new bridges would be a waste of money.
EVANSVILLE — Leaders from both Indiana and Kentucky say they’ll have to get creative to find money for the planned I-69 bridge that would link the two states.
A group of elected officials and I-69 proponents met Tuesday at the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana for an initial talk about how to come up with the estimated $1.2 billion the bridge will require.
I-69 is open in segments, with others yet to be built. In the big picture, the interstate is envisioned as one that would run across the United States from Canada to Mexico. The planned I-69 bridge under discussion Tuesday would span the Ohio River between Evansville and Henderson, Ky.
U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, a Republican who represents Kentucky’s First Congressional District, said funding is tight at all levels of government, from local to state and federal.
“We recognize that there is simply not enough money there to meet all our infrastructure needs, so we are exploring other options,” Whitfield said.
U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, a Republican who represents Indiana’s Eighth Congressional District, agreed.
“We all know that government dollars are tight,” Bucshon said.
One possible idea, Bucshon said, is a public/private partnership that would involve private investors putting up some of the money for the project. Making the bridge a toll bridge is another possibility, Bucshon said.
Bucshon characterized Tuesday’s meeting as “a preliminary discussion” only, and neither he nor Whitfield could say how much of the total cost might come from private funding.
Whitfield also noted that, while Indiana’s state laws allow public/private partnerships for such projects, Kentucky’s currently do not.
Others involved in the meeting included Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Henderson Mayor Steve Austin and numerous others.
Winnecke said the I-69 bridge is essential if the highway is to fulfill its economic development potential for this region.
“Without it, Evansville simply becomes a cul-de-sac for southbound traffic,” Winnecke said.
“Without it, Evansville simply becomes a cul-de-sac for southbound traffic,” Winnecke said.
David Dixon, editor of the Henderson Gleaner, (http://www.courierpress.com/staff/david-dixon/) seconds the call for creating the bi-state authority in this editorial (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/jun/30/another-vote-for-action-on-bridge/). He also injects a sense of urgency to do so because of perceived competition for funding with the replacement for the Brent Spence bridge in the Cincinnati area:QuoteWe're not talking about moving dirt or even making drawings, but creating the bi-state commission that needs to be set up before anything else can happen. Let's get it done .... There's another reason to act now.
With plans for two new bridges in the Louisville area moving forward, it looks like the next emphasis by the powers that be will be on either our bridge or one replacing the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Northern Kentucky with Cincinnati.
Competing for attention with a big town like Cincinnati and Kentucky's Golden Triangle will be tough. Working in our favor is what seems to be a realization down here that in this day and age it's not going to happen without putting tolls on the bridge ....
When, if ever, will we see some kind of real action, even preliminary, on getting a new Interstate 69 bridge built between Henderson and Evansville?
A big powwow was held in Evansville last month with politicians and business leaders from both states in attendance. One characterized the meeting as “a preliminary discussion.” Seems like we’ve had quite a few of those already.
The federal government’s not going to build a bridge by itself. State money is just as tight. Public/private partnerships that have raised funds for highway projects in Indiana are not allowed by current Kentucky law.
The idea of putting tolls on a new bridge was brought up as a possibility at the recent meeting. Tolls are more than a possibility. They’re a necessity.
The planning should commence with building a toll bridge as a given. We paid tolls on Kentucky parkways for years and everybody got around OK. I never knew of anybody skipping their Destin vacation because they had to pony up at the toll booth on the Pennyrile. Or missing a meal at the Moonlight in Owensboro because of tolls on the Audubon.
It’s going to take some kind of combination of tolls, federal, state and maybe private money to get a bridge built and open up northwest Kentucky (and southwest Indiana) to the economic growth that an interstate highway would bring ....
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke had a good line at the May meeting, saying that without a bridge Interstate 69 becomes “a cul-de-sac” in our area.
A cul-de-sac can be a nice place to have your house, quieter, less traffic. It’s not so good a place to put your business.
I think the Ohio River Bridge needs to be cancelled. People have been driving the US 41 bridge for years. Who cares if it doesn't have wide enough shoulders? If you can't stay in your lane you shouldn't be driving. Eventually when the bridges need redone, you can put them under construction an do what their doing in Louisville. Building brand new bridges would be a waste of money.
I have never heard your claim that a short bypass and utilizing the current bridges is being considered. I do think a fairly quick and adequate temporary solution would be to build a couple of overpasses along the Henderson strip and create an urban freeway through there. Similar to what was done with US 231 in Huntsville for example. Fixing the strip and closing the grade crossings at Wolf Hills on the KY side and Waterworks Road on the Indiana side would eliminate most of the accidents which now back up the traffic and would provide a limited access route for 69 while the new bridge is being worked out.
Yes, there is barely enough room, but you could get 4 lanes up in the air with a couple of one way frontage lanes. I agree, it wouldn't be interstate standards, but would serve as an adequate temporary fix until the can get the funding for the new bridges. Just sign it US 41/Temp. 69
http://www.in.gov/ifa/files/RFQ__for__I-69_Section_5.pdf(above quote from Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4855.msg223436#msg223436) thread)
The Indiana Finance Authority has released the RFQ for Section 5
Final ROD from FHWA is expected in July 2013. INDOT's going to start buying the needed ROW once that completes.
One of the project goals is "Achieve substantial completion for the Project by Fall 2016", which is a pretty aggressive time frame. I would assume that would mean all the new overpasses/interchanges are open to traffic, stoplights removed, new lanes open etc, but there might still be some cleanup work to do in 2017 before they could sign the whole thing as I-69 to Martinsville.
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/apr/19/no-headline---interstate_69_update/) reports that Gary Valentine, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s new project manager for Interstate 69, told the Henderson Chamber of Commerce that several projects over the next two to three years on both the Pennyrile and Purchase Parkways will allow I-69 shields to be installed from Mayfield to Henderson(above quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg216590#msg216590) thread)
(above quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg187836#msg187836) thread)from the current six-year highway plan:(above quote from I-69 Ohio River Bridge (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3245.msg186475#msg186475) thread)
PROJECT REVIEW TO LOCATE ALIGNMENT FOR INTERSTATE 69 AROUND HENDERSON FROM E.T. BREATHITT PARKWAY (PENNYRILE PARKWAY) TO OHIO RIVER CROSSING. (I-69 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT). (10CCR) D $1 million, 2012
... I emailed ... KYTC ... about the extent of progress on the above project [and their reply]:QuoteThe project you referenced in your question is in the early stages of planning. The Recommended Highway Plan has money set aside for its construction in 2019. This is a target construction date and at this time we are uncertain as to if that date is realistic or not.
In the recently completed I-69 Innovative Financing Study Final Findings (http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/statewide_planning/Studies/AHTD%20I-69%20Innovative%20Financing%20Study_Final%20Findings%20Report_02192013.pdf) and the Executive Summary (http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/statewide_planning/Studies/AHTD%20I-69%20Innovative%20Financing%20Study_Executive%20Summary_01092013.pdf), the Final Findings set forth a standalone traffic and toll analysis for the I-69 Ohio River Bridge (pp. 26-27, 45 of pdf; pp. 21-22, 40 of document)
(http://i.imgur.com/NBDcZUA.jpg)
“I want to be clear today. I am firmly committed to completing I-69 from Evansville to Indianapolis,” Pence said to applause from a couple of hundred contractors, designers and financial firms at an Indiana Government Center South forum on how to take part in construction of the next section of I-69 to be built.
That’s a 21-mile section from Bloomington to Martinsville.
But Pence said the job won’t be done until the interstate links to I-465 in Marion County, allowing I-69 to finally stretch from Evansville in the south to the Michigan border north of Fort Wayne. While I-69 has long connected Indianapolis to northeastern Indiana, the southern leg remained just a dream until Gov. Mitch Daniels launched it during his administration.
“The message here today is we’re going to finish what we started,” Pence told reporters. “And we’re going to use all the resources that we have at our disposal to do that in a way that serves the interests of taxpayers and is efficient and effective and under budget.”
Pence said there are no plans for tolls on the highway. “It’s certainly not in our proposal or our thinking at this time . . . and we’re not advocating for that.”
He said completing I-69 is a higher priority for him than other transportation projects, including widening I-70 and building the so-called Commerce Connector south and east of Marion County.
In the recently completed I-69 Innovative Financing Study Final Findings (http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/statewide_planning/Studies/AHTD%20I-69%20Innovative%20Financing%20Study_Final%20Findings%20Report_02192013.pdf) and the Executive Summary (http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/statewide_planning/Studies/AHTD%20I-69%20Innovative%20Financing%20Study_Executive%20Summary_01092013.pdf), the Final Findings set forth a standalone traffic and toll analysis for the I-69 Ohio River Bridge .... With Indiana's share of the bridge project in the neighborhood of $305 million, and Pence's current commitment to build the I-69 Martinsville to Indianapolis segment without tolls, tolls would have to finance a significant percentage of Indiana's share in order to meet a 2018-2020 time frame.
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke wants leaders in both Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky to repeatedly stress the importance of the I-69 Ohio River Bridge (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/may/10/evansville-mayor-wants-to-see-more-cooperation/) to their respective congressional delegations in order to eventually get federal money/assistance to make the bridge a reality:Quoteconcerning the challenges of securing funds for an I-69 bridge across the Ohio River from Evansville to Henderson, Winnecke said, "each community needs to be lobbying our respective congressional delegations to make sure this is a priority for both Henderson and Evansville." ....
this editorial (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/jun/30/another-vote-for-action-on-bridge/) ... perceived competition for funding with the replacement for the Brent Spence bridge in the Cincinnati area:QuoteThere's another reason to act now. With plans for two new bridges in the Louisville area moving forward, it looks like the next emphasis by the powers that be will be on either our bridge or one replacing the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Northern Kentucky with Cincinnati.
Competing for attention with a big town like Cincinnati and Kentucky's Golden Triangle will be tough.
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell welcomed Secretary of Transportation Nominee Anthony Foxx to his office in the U.S. Capitol.
The meeting provided Senator McConnell the opportunity to highlight the importance of several Kentucky transportation projects, including the Brent Spence Bridge in Northern Kentucky, Ohio River Bridges in Louisville and the I-69 Bridge in Henderson.
“As Republican Leader, I am able to meet face to face with Administration officials to ensure that Kentucky priorities are brought to their attention,” Senator McConnell said. “I appreciate Mayor Foxx taking the time to discuss with me the importance of several Kentucky transportation projects and the challenges to building them during these tough economic times.”
is there even a map of the proposed routing?
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/apr/19/no-headline---interstate_69_update/) reports that Gary Valentine, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s new project manager for Interstate 69 .... also spoke about trying to shave costs by shortening the new terrain Henderson approach to the bridge:QuoteThe preferred corridor branches off from the Pennyrile Parkway south of Henderson “what I consider way early,” which will require the construction of about nine miles of new highway at a cost of about $10 million a mile. He said highway officials will look at branching off closer to Henderson.....
A more recent version of the above-quoted article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/apr/19/i-69-prospects-look-good-8212-except-for-the/) has Valentine providing more of an explanation of why he would consider altering the route of the Henderson new terrain approach:QuoteHaving two controlled access highways paralleling one another in that stretch doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, he said, so highway officials will be looking at branching off closer to Henderson.
Quote“Without it, Evansville simply becomes a cul-de-sac for southbound traffic,” Winnecke said.:clap:
Great line from Evansville's mayor.
Getting a $1.4 billion bridge that will connect I-69 between Kentucky and Indiana is the top priority for the city of Henderson, Mayor Steve Austin told a crowd gathered at the Henderson Fine Arts Center on Thursday.
Austin wound up his speech by talking about the proposed bridge for Interstate 69, which is estimated to cost $1.4 billion, but will link major highway improvements on both sides of the river that are already well under way.
“The bridge is a tremendous opportunity but it’s also very difficult,” he said. “It’s very expensive to build. We’ve got to find that money. We’re going to get this done one way or another. We’re going to look at everything.”
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke had a good line at the May meeting, saying that without a bridge Interstate 69 becomes “a cul-de-sac” in our area.
A cul-de-sac can be a nice place to have your house, quieter, less traffic. It’s not so good a place to put your business.
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke had a good line at the May meeting, saying that without a bridge Interstate 69 becomes “a cul-de-sac” in our area.
A cul-de-sac can be a nice place to have your house, quieter, less traffic. It’s not so good a place to put your business.
It's good for Evansville and 69 boosters to have Winnecke staying vocal about it. Evansville is of the size that business boosters have plenty to work with but have to keep working with it all the time.
I'm curious about the anticipated effects on the KY side, with 69 potentially drawing off a lot of the (tax-generating) business traffic from 41. I don't know the ROWs being considered, but 41 traffic may not alone keep it all open. Maybe for their sake, this leg of 41 should be Business 69, if they do that anymore.
(above quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg235146#msg235146) thread)Does anyone know if the proposed bridge will go over the green river also or is the bridge to the I west of the confluence.The Executive Summary of the 2004 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for I-69 between Evansville and Henderson (http://www.edrgroup.com/pdf/executive%20summary.pdf) identifies Alternative 2 as the Preferred Alternative (page 23/23 of pdf; page S-23 of document) and describes Alternative 2's Indiana approach as follows (page 11/23 of pdf):QuoteAlternative 2 utilizes the existing I-164 alignment from its northern terminus at I-64 in Warrick County, to just east of the Green River Road interchange and west of Angel Mounds State Memorial Site. From that location, the alternative leaves the existing I-164 alignment and heads south to cross the Ohio River immediately west of the mouth of the Green River.
I'm curious about the anticipated effects on the KY side, with 69 potentially drawing off a lot of the (tax-generating) business traffic from 41.
Antique-style lamp posts will go marching up Second Street later this fiscal year as the city embarks on making it the community’s new front door.
And a proposed revamping of the city zoning ordinance will aid in that effort as city officials hope to encourage new investment and development along the corridor.
The long-term vision, of course, is that at some point the Interstate 69 bridge will become a reality — probably somewhere near the mouth of the Green River. City officials think the new bridge approaches will prevent U.S. 41-North from continuing as the city’s main entrance.
“I think eventually that Second Street will become our new I-69 entrance,” said Mayor Steve Austin. “If that is the case, then we would like for our entrance to our community to be as attractive as possible.”
“It will be the logical front door when I-69 happens,” said City Manager Russell Sights, noting most visitors’ first look at the community is probably the U.S. 41-North strip — not exactly the city’s most attractive aspect.
“With some proper signage we could encourage (motorists) to use Second Street as the main entrance, which is a five-lane highway direct shot to the downtown,” one of Henderson’s best attributes.
The city has drawn up a $688,000 multi-year plan for improving the corridor. In the current fiscal year 22 lamp posts will be placed between the overpass and Alvasia Street at a cost of $176,000. Another $64,000 will pay for sidewalk, curb and gutter repair and replacement in the same area.
Next fiscal year another 20 lamps will sprout up between Alvasia and Adams streets at a cost of $160,000, while another $64,000 is slated for sidewalk and other concrete repairs there. The final phase, in fiscal year 2015-16, will see the final 20 lamp posts and concrete repairs at the same costs between Adams and Green streets ....
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke had a good line at the May meeting, saying that without a bridge Interstate 69 becomes “a cul-de-sac” in our area.
A cul-de-sac can be a nice place to have your house, quieter, less traffic. It’s not so good a place to put your business.
It's good for Evansville and 69 boosters to have Winnecke staying vocal about it. Evansville is of the size that business boosters have plenty to work with but have to keep working with it all the time.
I'm curious about the anticipated effects on the KY side, with 69 potentially drawing off a lot of the (tax-generating) business traffic from 41. I don't know the ROWs being considered, but 41 traffic may not alone keep it all open. Maybe for their sake, this leg of 41 should be Business 69, if they do that anymore.
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/feb/14/30pt-hed1-10-hed1-10-inches-p/) reports that the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce has hired the former president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Christy Gillenwater, to be its president and CEO.In a Letter From the Chamber President (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/apr/01/no-headline---ebj_chamberpresletter/), Gillenwater .... intends to cooperate in identifying a funding mechanism for the I-69 Ohio River bridge
Some Democrats and Republicans appear to be cooperating in an effort to bring home some federal I-69 funding, presumably in the hope that I-69 will have a prominent role in the 2015 national freight plan*:(bottom quote from Bipartisan I-69 Congressional Caucus Launched (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=10534.msg249583#msg249583) thread)
http://www.texasgopvote.com/issues/grow-economy/us-congressman-blake-farenthold-launches-bipartisan-interstate-69-congressional-005905
* with up to 95% federal funding for interstate projects (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/freight.cfm):QuotePrioritization of projects to improve freight movementMAP-21 national freight plan was discussed at the recent Intermodal Freight Conference in Memphis:
Authorizes DOT to allow a maximum Federal share of 95% for an Interstate System project (or of 90% for a non-Interstate System project) if the project makes a demonstrable improvement in the efficiency of freight movement and is identified in a State freight plan (as described in section 1118 of MAP-21). [§1116]
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/26/economist-outlines-us-freight-network-at-intermodal-conference/#commentsQuotean appearance from U.S. Department of Transportation chief economist Jack Wells ... spoke to the group about ... development of a national freight strategic plan by 2015.
“We are going to implement this as a multimodal plan,” Wells said. “MAP-21 defines a national freight network as a highway-only network, but we think it is important to have a multimodal approach to freight planning, whether it is at the state or national level.”.
Our mission and vision directed us to focus on several strategic goals ... Another key focus will be to improve multimodal regional transportation infrastructure — with the completion of an interstate-grade I-69 bridge and seamless connection between Indianapolis and Evansville via Interstate 69.
Reading the above tea leaves in this thread, and the Indiana and Kentucky threads, I think the current thinking may be to have significant progress on the I-69 Ohio River Bridge in the 2018-2020 time frame.
Henderson Mayor Steve Austin gave his "State of the City" address .... In another article about Mayor Austin's address (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/jul/25/sidewalk-dining-proposed-for-downtown-area/), ...:QuoteAustin wound up his speech by talking about the proposed bridge for Interstate 69 ...“The bridge is a tremendous opportunity but it’s also very difficult,” he said. “It’s very expensive to build. We’ve got to find that money. We’re going to get this done one way or another. We’re going to look at everything.”
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke had a good line at the May meeting, saying that without a bridge Interstate 69 becomes “a cul-de-sac” in our area.It's good for Evansville and 69 boosters to have Winnecke staying vocal about it. Evansville is of the size that business boosters have plenty to work with but have to keep working with it all the time.
A cul-de-sac can be a nice place to have your house, quieter, less traffic. It’s not so good a place to put your business.
Proponents of building an Interstate 69 bridge across the river between Henderson and Evansville said Monday they want to see the span completed within eight years.
“That’s our objective,” Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said at a news conference announcing the creation of BridgeLink, a Henderson-Evansville partnership to campaign for the bridge.
“It’s an aggressive timeline,” Winnecke acknowledged. “We feel if we don’t have an aggressive timeline, it delays the project.”
Organizers intend to lobby in the state capitals of Frankfort and Indianapolis as well as in Washington, D.C. But they also want to change local perceptions.
“We have had citizens thinking it won’t happen in their lifetime,” Brad Schneider, president of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, told reporters.
“We have to talk about it being inevitable, not impossible,” Schneider said ....
“BridgeLink” — getting an I-69 bridge constructed here — “will happen,” the Evansville mayor declared. “It will happen in the next five to eight years,” assuming three years of lobbying and preconstruction environmental and design work, followed by a five-year construction timetable.
“But I-69 will not be complete and will not bring economic growth to our area until the supporting bridge is built across the river here,” Henderson Mayor Steve Austin declared ... As you know, those structures are getting older,” Austin said. “One is almost 50 years old and the other is (80) years old.”
http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/funding-i69-construction-uncertain-indiana-kentucky-57197/
Here's a pretty inaccurate story from WTIU, the PBS station in Bloomington, IN, mainly focusing on the Evansville bridge with some footage and interviews from the I-69 conference in Madisonville, KY. They do compare Kentucky's I-69 construction to Indiana's and it's pretty funny.
Basically:
1) Acts like Kentucky's I-69 costs are so much cheaper than Indiana's just because they "aren't building new roads", no mention of Kentucky's roads already being near-Interstate quality parkways.
2) Says there's "no money for I-69 left in Indiana" when the state budget has a $400 million "Major Moves 2020" fund set aside.
3) Says only 3 states are working on I-69 (not the case) and implies all the others completely stopped working on it.
4) Uses a graphic from Wikipedia showing the current state of the road to show the state of the road once the segment to Bloomington is complete
5) Implies that Mike Pence is going to install tolls on the road to Indianapolis to fund I-69
6) Says "we don't know what Indiana is going to do to finish the road" when Section 5 is already up for bid as a public/private partnership
7) Implies that Evansville doesn't care about finishing the road to Indianapolis but wants their bridge.
8) Shows the 8th District Congressmen in Indiana who is part of the I-69 congress acting like they can't get federal money (not sure what the point of him being in the I-69 caucus is!) I'm guessing he may have been asked a question about funding the road to Indy and not the bridge.
9) Implies that no federal money is being used for I-69 construction
Isn't it cheaper to make minor upgrade to existing roads than to build brand new ones though? The only new alignment I-69 in KY is the Ohio River Bridge.Of course, but only Kentucky has freeways to upgrade. This is eluding to why Indiana didn't select the US 41/I-70 route which is very indirect and would still have been very costly.
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/oct/14/advocates-want-i-69-bridge-built-eight-years/)
Proponents of building an Interstate 69 bridge across the river between Henderson and Evansville said Monday they want to see the span completed within eight years.
“That’s our objective,” Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said at a news conference announcing the creation of BridgeLink, a Henderson-Evansville partnership to campaign for the bridge ....
“We’re getting set for what we think will be a very aggressive agenda,” Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Evansville-based chamber, said. “We all think the bridge will be a reality if we all work aggressively together.” ....
The BridgeLink board is made up of representatives from both sides of the river ....
Evansville representatives include Vice Chairman Bob Koch, Winnecke, Gillenwater, Evan Beck, Ed Hafer, Jeff Mulzer, Mike Schopmeyer and Chris Traylor.
The first project mentioned is the Interstate 69 Bridge spanning the Ohio River, connecting Indiana and Kentucky. Mayor Winnecke is a board member of BridgeLink, a nonprofit organization launched as a joint effort between The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana and the Henderson-Henderson County Chamber of Commerce. He called the completion of I-69 northbound and southbound “the most important infrastructure project of our lifetime in this area.”
The Chamber’s board of directors recently adopted a magnanimous 2014 Legislative Agenda ....
Our top 5 legislative priorities in 2014 will be:
1. Completion of Interstate 69: Completion of I-69 from Indianapolis to Kentucky with a bridge over the Ohio River. Without question, the completion of I-69 is the most important issue on the minds of our members. It will take all of us to continue our forward momentum, stemming from decades of previous work by countless regional leaders.
Isn't it cheaper to make minor upgrade to existing roads than to build brand new ones though? The only new alignment I-69 in KY is the Ohio River Bridge.
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/oct/14/advocates-want-i-69-bridge-built-eight-years/)
The above-linked October 14 article discusses the involvement of Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Southwestern Indiana Christy Gillenwater in BridgeLink:QuoteProponents of building an Interstate 69 bridge across the river between Henderson and Evansville said Monday they want to see the span completed within eight years.
“That’s our objective,” Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said at a news conference announcing the creation of BridgeLink, a Henderson-Evansville partnership to campaign for the bridge ....
“We’re getting set for what we think will be a very aggressive agenda,” Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Evansville-based chamber, said. “We all think the bridge will be a reality if we all work aggressively together.” ....
The BridgeLink board is made up of representatives from both sides of the river ....
Evansville representatives include Vice Chairman Bob Koch, Winnecke, Gillenwater, Evan Beck, Ed Hafer, Jeff Mulzer, Mike Schopmeyer and Chris Traylor.
Winnecke and Gillenwater both recently included the I-69 Ohio River Bridge as an essential component of the top priority of completing I-69 both north and south of Evansville. This January 6 article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2014/jan/06/packed-house-for-2013-lunch-with-the-mayor/) reports that Winnecke discussed the importance of the bridge at a recent Lunch with the Mayor event:QuoteThe first project mentioned is the Interstate 69 Bridge spanning the Ohio River, connecting Indiana and Kentucky. Mayor Winnecke is a board member of BridgeLink, a nonprofit organization launched as a joint effort between The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana and the Henderson-Henderson County Chamber of Commerce. He called the completion of I-69 northbound and southbound “the most important infrastructure project of our lifetime in this area.”
Similarly, Gillenwater recently wrote a January 6 Letter from the president of the Chamber of Commerce (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2014/jan/06/ebj_chamberpresidentletter/) in which she expressly includes the I-69 Ohio River Bridge as part of the Chamber's top legislative priority of the completion of I-69:QuoteThe Chamber’s board of directors recently adopted a magnanimous 2014 Legislative Agenda ....
Our top 5 legislative priorities in 2014 will be:
1. Completion of Interstate 69: Completion of I-69 from Indianapolis to Kentucky with a bridge over the Ohio River. Without question, the completion of I-69 is the most important issue on the minds of our members. It will take all of us to continue our forward momentum, stemming from decades of previous work by countless regional leaders.
They continue to bang the drum .......
I could think of so many more projects that are more important in Indiana right now than finishing the questionably useful 69
Maybe.I could think of so many more projects that are more important in Indiana right now than finishing the questionably useful 69
Completing I-69
including the building the Ohio River bridgeNot really. The tie-up is at the at-grades south of the bridges.
Not really. The tie-up is at the at-grades south of the bridges.
Gee, I wonder. Too bad there's no way to improve traffic flow on a surface road without bypassing it.Not really. The tie-up is at the at-grades south of the bridges.
So then how would you alleviate it without a bridge?
I-69 definitely should go on the US 41 bridge. Then I-69 should bypass Henderson to the east. Then they could save some money. Which I happen to think I-69 is a big waste of money in the first place. And no I'm not a bitter Hautian. If I-69 wouldv'e came to Terre Haute I still would've viewed it as a big waste of money, because US 41 is already a good highway from SR 641 - Evansville. Just like the US 41 bridge, it is a perfectly fine bridge. I do however think a Terre Haute bypass (interstate quality) would be a good idea, becasue US 41 in Terre Haute is not a good highway. Multilaning US 50 from Bedford to Washington wouldv'e been the best way. Then Bloomington has their multilane highway from Bloomington to Evansville for a lot less money.
Can we still do "TEMP" routes? When the West Virginia Turnpike was still two lanes, there were "TO I-77" signs in place. (Not sure if I-64 was signed, it was not complete east of Beckley until 1988.)They're now FUTURE routes. See I-26 in Asheville, where the eventual plan is to bypass the old freeway to the west.
I have a better idea. Upgrade 41 through Henderson.
I-69 definitely should go on the US 41 bridge. Then I-69 should bypass Henderson to the east. Then they could save some money. Which I happen to think I-69 is a big waste of money in the first place. And no I'm not a bitter Hautian. If I-69 wouldv'e came to Terre Haute I still would've viewed it as a big waste of money, because US 41 is already a good highway from SR 641 - Evansville. Just like the US 41 bridge, it is a perfectly fine bridge. I do however think a Terre Haute bypass (interstate quality) would be a good idea, becasue US 41 in Terre Haute is not a good highway. Multilaning US 50 from Bedford to Washington wouldv'e been the best way. Then Bloomington has their multilane highway from Bloomington to Evansville for a lot less money.
great if they did that, Indiana wouldn't have to pay a dime. The us 41 bridge is entirely in kentucky
great if they did that, Indiana wouldn't have to pay a dime. The us 41 bridge is entirely in kentucky
Obviously not true.
I have wondered why some creative alternatives to the expensive new bridge solution have not been explored. Could the same technique used for the Milton-Madison Bridge be used to replace the old US 41 bridge? That project cost $103M, I think. I assume the majority of the project cost would be for the bridge itself. Is there enough room create a bypass north of Audubon State Park? It seems as if most of the original bypass route in Kentucky would still be viable.
For that matter, did they ever explore the possibility of buying and leveling some businesses on the US 41 commercial strip in Henderson and building the freeway there with a frontage road for the remaining ones? The US 31 freeway upgrade in Hamilton County, Indiana involved the leveling of many businesses (1 bank, 3 restaurants, 2-3 gas stations, 1 hotel, several stores). I can't imagine that being an expensive option compared to a new terrain route and completely new Ohio River Bridge.
Indiana would have to modify the current I-164/US 41 interchange and it would mess up the Indiana I-69 exit numbering by a mile or two, but that would be a small price to pay. The INDOT two tier numbering strategy would mean that only exits in the south section would need to be renumbered.
I assume the original study explored all options, but I wonder how they settled on one that may be too expensive to build.
BTW, I think Indiana pays 1/3 the cost of the US 41 bridge maintenance despite it being totally in Kentucky.
It's also crazy that indiana pays for something that isn't even in it's boardershttp://www.cincinnatisouthernrailway.org/
If Indiana helps pay maintenance costs on the US 41 bridge, then Kentucky should give Indiana all of the land north of the Ohio River.
States don't give up land
States don't give up land
Especially land with a horse track on it
I sent the Transportation Cabinet a request for information on Indiana's contribution to the maintenance and construction costs of the US-41 bridges. I'll report back when I get a response.I got a quick response from David Steele, Branch Manager for Bridge Preservation, Division of Maintenance:
The State of Indiana contributes 50% of the maintenance costs on the two Ohio River Bridges near Henderson, Kentucky. Kentucky contributes the other 50% of the maintenance costs.
The northbound Ohio River bridge was built as a toll bridge by Indiana with Kentucky participating in one-half the construction costs.
Indiana, Kentucky, and the Federal Highway Administration participated in the cost of the construction of the southbound bridge and approaches.
U.S. 41 Twin Bridges Northbound Structure Celebrates
75 Years of Service to Travelers
Original Bridge Officially Opened to Traffic in 1932
Henderson, KY. (June 28, 2007) - When Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Engineers developed plans to run three lanes of traffic on what is normally a two lane bridge, some Henderson-Evansville area commuters thought that a bit unusual. However, a check of area newspapers from 1932 shows that the original bridge carried three lanes of traffic when it first opened that year.
According to Chief District Engineer Ted Merryman, traffic was pretty much gridlocked around the bridge the first two days it was open 75 years ago.
“When the first bridge (now carrying northbound traffic) was officially opened to traffic with a three day celebration centered on July 4th, 1932, traffic was gridlocked around the bridge as an estimated 50,000 vehicles try to cross the structure in the first two days,” Merryman said.
The three day celebration was centered on July 4th, making July 4th 2007 the bridge’s 75th birthday.
“Few of us can fully comprehend what a true marvel of engineering the first structure must have appeared to be 75 years ago,” Merryman observed. “The three day celebration mounted by both Henderson and Evansville was fully fitting the structure that has connected Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana economically and socially since.”
To officially open the bridge to traffic, Governor Ruby Lafoon of Kentucky and Governor Harry G. Leslie of Indiana walked from each end of the span to meet in the middle to shake hands. A boat flotilla gathered from up and down the Ohio River took nearly 40 minutes to pass beneath the bridge. About two-dozen army planes put on an air show with maneuvers above Dade Park (now Ellis Park) Race Track. A parade that stretched nearly two miles long celebrating the history of transportation lasted nearly two hours.
Gayle Alvis with the Kentucky State Library Archives assisted Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Public Information Officer Keith Todd in digging through microfilm files filled with the history of the original bridge.
“One of the first Henderson Gleaner articles we found described the celebration as, ‘One of the most elaborate celebrations of its kind ever to be staged in the Middle West,’” Alvis said. “It was estimated that the celebration attracted 100,000 visitors to Henderson.”
Military cannons were fired from the riverbanks joining with the din of riverboat whistles during the celebration.
Todd says the cost and magnitude of the bridge building program that included the first U.S. 41 Ohio River Bridge created quite a building boom across Kentucky.
“The first of the U.S. 41 Twin bridges was built for $2.4 million. It was one of 11 new bridges built statewide at about the same time for just under $10 million,” Todd said. “That building boom included the U.S. 60 Green River Bridge at Spottsville that had opened just a few months earlier, as well as other major bridges along the U.S. 60 Corridor. It was an amazing time of growth and economic expansion across Kentucky and it all came down to improving transportation.”
Bridge bonds issued to pay for the construction effort were paid off with tolls. Crossing between Henderson and Evansville required a 30 cent toll for passenger vehicles. It was five cents for pedestrians who strolled across a sidewalk on the bridge deck. A toll card for the bridge listed a 5 cent per head charge for “livestock on foot.”
Ruby Lafoon called the new U.S. 41 highway, “…one of the most important in the nation and the most important traversing Kentucky from North to South.”
In December 1966 a second bridge was opened to handle southbound traffic with the original bridge handling only northbound traffic as it does today.
The U.S. 41 Twin Bridges, also known as the Bi-State Gold Star Vietnam War Memorial Bridges, carry approximately 40,000 vehicles a day across the Ohio River between Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana.
-30-
U.S. 41 Twin Bridges History Notes
From the Opening of the Original Bridge in 1932
Compiled from microfilm archives of the Henderson Gleaner, the Evansville Courier-Press and the Louisville Courier Journal.
- Opening day the trip from Evansville to Henderson took about two hours. Traffic was packed solid, both ways. The distance from the Henderson city limits to the bridge proper was 4 miles. From courthouse to courthouse it is 10.2 miles.
- Cost of the original bridge was $2.4 million with the federal government paying half, Kentucky paying 1/4th and Indiana paying 1/4th.
- Both Evansville and Henderson are decorated in bunting and flags, principal streets are lighted with vari-colored electric lights and a general spirit of carnival prevails.
- Dean William S. Taylor of the University of Kentucky was keynote speaker for a celebration at Bosse Field in Evansville. Among his observations he said, “Man today is a bridge builder and probably will ever be. This magnificent structure of engineering genius is not only a gateway between our two states for trading, traveling and the more intimate mingling of people; it is a symbol of the linking together, of the blending into one of the North and the South. It is a symbol of the oneness of our citizens, who today have the same ideals, the same standards, and the same aspirations.”
- Army planes flying overhead scattered rose petals over the crowed gathered on the bridge for the dedication.
- It is estimated that 50,000 automobiles carrying some 200,000 persons crossed the bridge Sunday and Monday. There were four lanes of traffic on the approaches and three on the bridge and so thick was it that it was creeping along most of the time.
- A squadron of 22 airplanes led by Jimmy Doolittle zoomed over the river.
- S.I. Will, a local merchant was credited as being the first southbound traveler to pay the first toll. George J. Lucas of the Lucas & Wooten Poultry firm of Henderson drove the first northbound car to pay a toll. At the start of toll charges, 267 vehicles crossed in the first hour, 166 southbound and 101 northbound.
- The Dixie Bee Ferry at Henderson and the Dade Park Ferry near the bridge were purchased by the Kentucky Highway Commission and continued operating for a time after the bridge was completed.
- Tolls on the original bridges were removed or “freed” on March 20, 1941, making travel between the two cities more economical and encouraging new commerce.
- The second of the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges was opened to traffic on December 16, 1966 at a cost of $5 million, further enhancing this historic connection between Henderson and Evansville.
did they ever explore the possibility of buying and leveling some businesses on the US 41 commercial strip in Henderson and building the freeway there with a frontage road for the remaining ones?
Please be advised that a final environmental assessment was never approved by the Federal Highway Administration due to the inability of the Henderson-Evansville MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan being able to demonstrate fiscal constraint with this project included. Given the inability to pay for the alternatives under consideration at that point in time and due to the passage of time, all work prepared really just becomes background or reference information for a new process that would be required should there become a means to fund this undertaking.
Links to sections of the DEIS can found in the "Henderson to Evansville - Proposed Interstate 69" section at the bottom of this page:
http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/I-69.aspx
KYTC has posted the 2014 Recommended Highway Plan (http://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Pages/2014-Highway-Plan.aspx). The Project Listing (http://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Highway%20Plan/2014RecommendedProjectListing.pdf) section includes preliminary engineering and environmental in 2018 for a possible US 41 bridge replacement as an intermediate solution for an I-69 bridge (page 55/139 of pdf)
This corridor did not meet all performance measures of the Purpose and Need Statement, since it did not provide an additional river crossing to US 41. It would have been difficult to construct while keeping it open to traffic and would likely have had adverse impacts on businesses along the corridor during construction.
My guess is that if a new US 41 bridge is built then I-69 will travel with US 41 across the Ohio River and the new I-69 Bridge will never be built.
IMO the ideal solution would be to build the I-69 bridge and then replace the US 41 bridges as needed; they could probably get away with just the existing southbound bridge until it becomes structurally deficient once the I-69 bridge is in place.
Nexus 7
IMO the ideal solution would be to build the I-69 bridge and then replace the US 41 bridges as needed; they could probably get away with just the existing southbound bridge until it becomes structurally deficient once the I-69 bridge is in place.
Nexus 7
I agree. The problem with building a new US 41 bridge and then routing I-69 over it is that is still leaves the metropolitan area with a single crossing between them. If a new I-69 bridge is built, then I can see where it could make sense for US 41 to go down to a single span. Less traffic will be using US 41 and a single span crossing would still allow for a second crossing over the river.
The 2nd bridge you speak of is a good 11 miles away from Owensboro.
The bridge is there FOR Owensboro however.
Delivering his annual State of the City address Thursday, Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne called for changing the route of the proposed Interstate 69 that would bring it through Owensboro and eliminate the need to build a new $1 billion bridge across the Ohio River near Henderson.
Payne's proposal to reroute I-69 through Owensboro instead of a Evansville-Henderson corridor makes use of the William H. Natcher Bridge at Maceo, the former U.S. 60 bypass and the Natcher and Western Kentucky parkways.
"Work needs to continue to bring an interstate to the most progressive city in the commonwealth," Payne said. "I-69 should be revisited. A billion dollars or more can be saved by coming an additional 30 miles down the Western Kentucky Parkway and moving north on the Natcher Parkway, saving the need to construct an additional bridge over the Ohio River. This needs to be seriously looked at. Somebody need to explain to me why this should not be done."
The 2nd bridge you speak of is a good 11 miles away from Owensboro.The bridge is there FOR Owensboro however.
This article (behind paywall) (http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/developing_news/article_f0f5e933-59a3-5166-8055-7ae0e3452e0e.html?success=1?success=2) reports that Owensboro's mayor apparently wants the William Natcher/US 231 Bridge (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Owensboro,+KY&hl=en&ll=37.848833,-87.041931&spn=0.220403,0.308647&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.849851,79.013672&oq=owensboro+ky&t=h&hnear=Owensboro,+Daviess,+Kentucky&z=12) to become the I-69 Bridge:QuoteDelivering his annual State of the City address Thursday, Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne called for changing the route of the proposed Interstate 69 that would bring it through Owensboro and eliminate the need to build a new $1 billion bridge across the Ohio River near Henderson.
Payne's proposal to reroute I-69 through Owensboro instead of a Evansville-Henderson corridor makes use of the William H. Natcher Bridge at Maceo, the former U.S. 60 bypass and the Natcher and Western Kentucky parkways.
"Work needs to continue to bring an interstate to the most progressive city in the commonwealth," Payne said. "I-69 should be revisited. A billion dollars or more can be saved by coming an additional 30 miles down the Western Kentucky Parkway and moving north on the Natcher Parkway, saving the need to construct an additional bridge over the Ohio River. This needs to be seriously looked at. Somebody need to explain to me why this should not be done."
Any takers for providing the explanation?
The 2nd bridge you speak of is a good 11 miles away from Owensboro.The bridge is there FOR Owensboro however.
This article (behind paywall) (http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/developing_news/article_f0f5e933-59a3-5166-8055-7ae0e3452e0e.html?success=1?success=2) reports that Owensboro's mayor apparently wants the William Natcher/US 231 Bridge (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Owensboro,+KY&hl=en&ll=37.848833,-87.041931&spn=0.220403,0.308647&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.849851,79.013672&oq=owensboro+ky&t=h&hnear=Owensboro,+Daviess,+Kentucky&z=12) to become the I-69 Bridge:QuoteDelivering his annual State of the City address Thursday, Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne called for changing the route of the proposed Interstate 69 that would bring it through Owensboro and eliminate the need to build a new $1 billion bridge across the Ohio River near Henderson.
Payne's proposal to reroute I-69 through Owensboro instead of a Evansville-Henderson corridor makes use of the William H. Natcher Bridge at Maceo, the former U.S. 60 bypass and the Natcher and Western Kentucky parkways.
"Work needs to continue to bring an interstate to the most progressive city in the commonwealth," Payne said. "I-69 should be revisited. A billion dollars or more can be saved by coming an additional 30 miles down the Western Kentucky Parkway and moving north on the Natcher Parkway, saving the need to construct an additional bridge over the Ohio River. This needs to be seriously looked at. Somebody need to explain to me why this should not be done."
Any takers for providing the explanation?
There's a different BBQ joint that the locals prefer over Moonlite that might make a good place to eat if someone in the Owensboro area wants to host a meet to look at the US 60 construction.
There was a fire at Moonlite not too long ago but I don't think it was destroyed.
"Work needs to continue to bring an interstate to the most progressive city in the commonwealth," Payne said.
If Owensboro wanted to be near a mainline 2di, they should have worked to bring 64 farther south in the early 60's.
It would be much easier to just upgarde and sign the Audubon and Natcher Parkways as an even I-5x.I-58: Lexington - Elizabethtown - Owensboro - Henderson.
The 2nd bridge you speak of is a good 11 miles away from Owensboro.The bridge is there FOR Owensboro however.
This article (behind paywall) (http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/developing_news/article_f0f5e933-59a3-5166-8055-7ae0e3452e0e.html?success=1?success=2) reports that Owensboro's mayor apparently wants the William Natcher/US 231 Bridge (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Owensboro,+KY&hl=en&ll=37.848833,-87.041931&spn=0.220403,0.308647&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.849851,79.013672&oq=owensboro+ky&t=h&hnear=Owensboro,+Daviess,+Kentucky&z=12) to become the I-69 Bridge:QuoteDelivering his annual State of the City address Thursday, Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne called for changing the route of the proposed Interstate 69 that would bring it through Owensboro and eliminate the need to build a new $1 billion bridge across the Ohio River near Henderson.
Payne's proposal to reroute I-69 through Owensboro instead of a Evansville-Henderson corridor makes use of the William H. Natcher Bridge at Maceo, the former U.S. 60 bypass and the Natcher and Western Kentucky parkways.
"Work needs to continue to bring an interstate to the most progressive city in the commonwealth," Payne said. "I-69 should be revisited. A billion dollars or more can be saved by coming an additional 30 miles down the Western Kentucky Parkway and moving north on the Natcher Parkway, saving the need to construct an additional bridge over the Ohio River. This needs to be seriously looked at. Somebody need to explain to me why this should not be done."
Any takers for providing the explanation?
It would be much easier to just upgarde and sign the Audubon and Natcher Parkways as an even I-5x.I-58: Lexington - Elizabethtown - Owensboro - Henderson.
So basically we would have a 2nd interstate route linking Lexington with Evansville-Henderson. While it does seem ridiculous to have a 2nd route just so Owensboro can be on a mainline 2-di, I did drive that back from Lexington a couple of times when the New Albany 64 bridge was closed and it was close to rush hour in Louisville.
“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet does not plan to reroute Interstate 69 through Owensboro. Deviating from the congressionally designated Interstate 69 corridor would prove costly and be difficult to implement. The routes suggested through Owensboro are not compliant with federal interstate standards, nor is it the most direct and efficient route for motorists. We appreciate Mayor Payne’s input on the project, but the Cabinet will continue on the course that has been set.”
Henderson County Judge-Executive Hugh McCormick said Payne was "very aggressively" pushing for a dramatic I-69 route change on Tuesday in Frankfort, during a social event for local government officials and Kentucky legislators.
The good mayor should have been beating this drum years ago, before the investment Indiana made in "cementing" the current route.....
QuoteHenderson County Judge-Executive Hugh McCormick said Payne was "very aggressively" pushing for a dramatic I-69 route change on Tuesday in Frankfort, during a social event for local government officials and Kentucky legislators.
He was probably drunk. :D
QuoteHenderson County Judge-Executive Hugh McCormick said Payne was "very aggressively" pushing for a dramatic I-69 route change on Tuesday in Frankfort, during a social event for local government officials and Kentucky legislators.
He was probably drunk. :D
Eventually he's going to have realize that after a certain point this mostly just makes Owensboro look bad.
Mayor Payne has been up in Toronto, partying with Rob Ford, I'm afraid.QuoteHenderson County Judge-Executive Hugh McCormick said Payne was "very aggressively" pushing for a dramatic I-69 route change on Tuesday in Frankfort, during a social event for local government officials and Kentucky legislators.
He was probably drunk. :D
Eventually he's going to have realize that after a certain point this mostly just makes Owensboro look bad.
Mayor Payne has been up in Toronto, partying with Rob Ford, I'm afraid.QuoteHenderson County Judge-Executive Hugh McCormick said Payne was "very aggressively" pushing for a dramatic I-69 route change on Tuesday in Frankfort, during a social event for local government officials and Kentucky legislators.
He was probably drunk. :D
Eventually he's going to have realize that after a certain point this mostly just makes Owensboro look bad.
haha smoking that crack pipe in all seriousness though, why didn't this guy mention this when it actually would have been a possibility, before they built what is there now?
Jasper and Huntingburg bypasses however....
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said that if Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne asks him to look into the possibility of rerouting Interstate 69 through Owensboro, then he will do it.
Most of the article is behind a paywall, but Rand Paul says while in a meeting in Owensboro that he'll "look into it" if asked by Ron Payne.
http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/article_dff35132-3799-5774-8d41-09d2c30bdcde.html
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said that if Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne asks him to look into the possibility of rerouting Interstate 69 through Owensboro, then he will do it.
Paul, a Bowling Green Republican, was in Owensboro Saturday night to attend the Bourbon Ball, a fundraiser hosted by Owensboro Rotary Club at the Owensboro Convention Center.
Paul said he had just heard about the I-69 rerouting discussions, including that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary had termed the current route "congressionally designated."
"I'm not aware that anyone has ever asked me where the roads go," Paul said, "but I will look into it if the mayor asks me. I'm not saying I can do anything, but we can look at it."
Payne has been floating a plan that would reroute I-69 from Washington, Ind., to the William H. Natcher Bridge at Maceo, through Owensboro and toward Bowling Green using the Natcher Parkway.
That path would save about $1 billion since a new bridge would not have to be built over the Ohio River at Evansville, Payne said.
The route now being pursued would extend I-69 south from I-164, east of Ellis Park, across a new bridge to be built and then connecting with the Pennyrile Parkway south of Henderson.
Payne talked up his rerouting plan to Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke Friday, and Winnecke did not get on board.
Despite getting rebuffed by both Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock and Winnecke, Payne said he will continue to push for officials to give the option a review. And he is continuing to push to see a study that examines the Natcher and Audubon parkways as well as the former U.S. 60 Bypass to determine what it would take to bring them up to Interstate standards.
Owensboro and Daviess County officials also have been part of a multistate movement to create a new Interstate 67 that would connect to I-69 at Washington, Ind., and then on to the Natcher bridge, following U.S. 60 into Owensboro and on to Bowling Green via the Natcher parkway and connecting to I-65.
Payne told the Messenger-Inquirer Friday that he would take either one, but he thinks I-69 is the best bet. He said Evansville officials will not support proceeding with I-67 until I-69 is built.
This all just proves my point about how anal FHWA is about Interstate standards.
The average motorist is not going to know the difference between an Interstate and one of the Kentucky parkways. Even if the medians aren't as wide on the Audubon or Natcher as they are on I-24, the Kentucky parkways are still a lot more modern than I-70 between Washington and New Stanton, Pa.
Eliminate the old toll plaza cloverleafs, stick I-xxx signs on the Audubon and Natcher, and be done with it.
This all just proves my point about how anal FHWA is about Interstate standards.
The average motorist is not going to know the difference between an Interstate and one of the Kentucky parkways. Even if the medians aren't as wide on the Audubon or Natcher as they are on I-24, the Kentucky parkways are still a lot more modern than I-70 between Washington and New Stanton, Pa.
Eliminate the old toll plaza cloverleafs, stick I-xxx signs on the Audubon and Natcher, and be done with it.
It's more of a fictional thread idea, but I've thought for a while now that there should be a secondary tier to the Interstate system with looser standards. Substandard expressways, super-2s, and non-freeway-to-freeway interchanges could be part of this system.http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4397
I do have a stupid question, why did Kentucky build toll plazas that way? Illinois has a similar system, toll plazas every so often, but all of them are on the mainline away from exits, not under bridges. Even the two plazas (now moved) on I-88 west of Aurora in the middle of the interchanges were not set up under bridges with cloverleafs.
As I hear more about Mayor Payne, I get more and more convinced that he is a refugee from Alanland. :spin:
As I hear more about Mayor Payne, I get more and more convinced that he is a refugee from Alanland. :spin:
Update on this situation: I learned yesterday that the study that the mayor wants a copy of is not yet finished. It's still in progress. It's hard to give someone something that doesn't exist.
I also heard that reporters who were outside when Payne went to see Evansville's mayor reported a lot of shouting and loud voices behind the closed door. They couldn't hear what was said, but they said the discussion got pretty heated. Also heard that Payne has acted like, for lack of a better term, a total asshole over this whole deal and has destroyed any goodwill between Owensboro and Henderson and Evansville. Not only that, but he managed to offend and anger Bowling Green with some of his rants.
As I hear more about Mayor Payne, I get more and more convinced that he is a refugee from Alanland. :spin:
Update on this situation: I learned yesterday that the study that the mayor wants a copy of is not yet finished. It's still in progress. It's hard to give someone something that doesn't exist.
I also heard that reporters who were outside when Payne went to see Evansville's mayor reported a lot of shouting and loud voices behind the closed door. They couldn't hear what was said, but they said the discussion got pretty heated. Also heard that Payne has acted like, for lack of a better term, a total asshole over this whole deal and has destroyed any goodwill between Owensboro and Henderson and Evansville. Not only that, but he managed to offend and anger Bowling Green with some of his rants.
Well, maybe they won't be now! I personally wouldn't cancel the interstate over this silliness, but it would be fitting.As I hear more about Mayor Payne, I get more and more convinced that he is a refugee from Alanland. :spin:
Update on this situation: I learned yesterday that the study that the mayor wants a copy of is not yet finished. It's still in progress. It's hard to give someone something that doesn't exist.
I also heard that reporters who were outside when Payne went to see Evansville's mayor reported a lot of shouting and loud voices behind the closed door. They couldn't hear what was said, but they said the discussion got pretty heated. Also heard that Payne has acted like, for lack of a better term, a total asshole over this whole deal and has destroyed any goodwill between Owensboro and Henderson and Evansville. Not only that, but he managed to offend and anger Bowling Green with some of his rants.
The previous comments made a good point. they are already building a spur interstate to his city, why does he need another one?
I think the Owensboro mayor's plan for I-69 is nonsense, but I do believe this is good example of an instance where a non-freeway Interstate would be a great thing. How many unnecessary billions of dollars have been spent chasing a red, white and blue shield when a less expensive highway would have been more than adequate? I-69 makes no sense, but an expressway I-67 up to I-64 might.
I think the Owensboro mayor's plan for I-69 is nonsense, but I do believe this is good example of an instance where a non-freeway Interstate would be a great thing. How many unnecessary billions of dollars have been spent chasing a red, white and blue shield when a less expensive highway would have been more than adequate? I-69 makes no sense, but an expressway I-67 up to I-64 might.
Why isn't the current US 231 good enough? It's 4 lanes divided and has no traffic lights! Well there's one at US 60.
I think the Owensboro mayor's plan for I-69 is nonsense, but I do believe this is good example of an instance where a non-freeway Interstate would be a great thing. How many unnecessary billions of dollars have been spent chasing a red, white and blue shield when a less expensive highway would have been more than adequate? I-69 makes no sense, but an expressway I-67 up to I-64 might.
Why isn't the current US 231 good enough? It's 4 lanes divided and has no traffic lights! Well there's one at US 60.
I can't read the full article due to the paywall, but apparently Ron Payne has "called for a solution that works for all involved."
Never negotiate with someone asking you to help them find a compromise between fantasy and reality.
Needs an I-69C. And maybe an I-69CE and an I-69CW too. Of course, I-69C would be I-69CC there.
I can't read the full article due to the paywall, but apparently Ron Payne has "called for a solution that works for all involved."
Never negotiate with someone asking you to help them find a compromise between fantasy and reality.
At least one city commissioner is backing him. Immediately following his comments, Commissioner Deborah Nunley called Payne a “fearless leader” and compared him to “a dog with a bone he’s not gonna let go of.” She called on the public to support the mayor in his efforts to get the interstate route changed.
Wait, no interstate is going to go THROUGH Owensboro.I-69 will almost completely avoid Evansville city limits as well. A Bowling Green-Henderson Interstate would be in Owensboro more than I-69 will be in Evansville.
Wait, no interstate is going to go THROUGH Owensboro.I-69 will almost completely avoid Evansville city limits as well. A Bowling Green-Henderson Interstate would be in Owensboro more than I-69 will be in Evansville.
Wait, no interstate is going to go THROUGH Owensboro. But sadly, I'm sure this is just 2-di envy. 3-di's (unless it's a bypass of a large city) says that you're good enough for an interstate, but not THAT good enough. Evansville of course for years was served by only a 3-di despite being the third largest city in the state, that of course changes this year. Owensboro, which until recently was the third largest in its state, now gets a 3-di and it's not enough. A 2-di dammit, we are never going to be a major metropolis over 100,000+ unless we have a 2-di! Kentucky I'm sure will just let this die down and Indiana will continue as if they heard nothing.
Wait, no interstate is going to go THROUGH Owensboro. But sadly, I'm sure this is just 2-di envy. 3-di's (unless it's a bypass of a large city) says that you're good enough for an interstate, but not THAT good enough. Evansville of course for years was served by only a 3-di despite being the third largest city in the state, that of course changes this year. Owensboro, which until recently was the third largest in its state, now gets a 3-di and it's not enough. A 2-di dammit, we are never going to be a major metropolis over 100,000+ unless we have a 2-di! Kentucky I'm sure will just let this die down and Indiana will continue as if they heard nothing.
I've heard it said that KYTC's official response to the mayor was far more polite than many wished it had been. There's sentiment out there for a "FOAD" response.
Thanks for a very interesting clip. It starts out as a roast of Mayor Payne, but it quickly moves on to a serious discussion of the bridges. The Chamber sees the new bridges connecting Evansville and Henderson as inevitable, and I agree. The question is when they will be built. Judging from this clip and other news I've seen upthread, there is a lot of sentiment that it should be done by 2020. That very optimistic goal may not be attainable, but the number of influential forces that are lining up will put a lot of political pressure on getting it done.
The thing is, Owensboro really doesn’t even need an Interstate highway.
QuoteThe thing is, Owensboro really doesn’t even need an Interstate highway.
Although many people in this forum have taken that position, I think many corporations only consider sites on Interstates and most cities want the status that a red, white, and blue shield brings. So at best, it is very subjective to say that US highway designations are just as good, and I personally don't question why he would want an interstate designation on a highway in Owensboro. The questionable thing is the suggestion for a modified I-69 routing.
I also would say the end of your text might get too much in the weeds for most people.
QuoteThe thing is, Owensboro really doesn’t even need an Interstate highway.
Although many people in this forum have taken that position, I think many corporations only consider sites on Interstates and most cities want the status that a red, white, and blue shield brings. So at best, it is very subjective to say that US highway designations are just as good, and I personally don't question why he would want an interstate designation on a highway in Owensboro. The questionable thing is the suggestion for a modified I-69 routing.
I also would say the end of your text might get too much in the weeds for most people.
Toyota built a plant in Princeton off of US 41. Companies will build their sites on any major highway. US 41 in Indiana is a major highway.
H.B. -- I also agree with you. I don't see why highways like the PA Turnpike and your examples are OK, but ours aren't? It just seems silly. But, as long as there is that other option - moving 60, 231 and even 62 down to the south, for example - why not go that route and avoid the silliness all together???
^^ A good job on the op-ed piece, but, getting an interstate designation does help with industry recruiting. However, I don't know if they take into consideration whether that interstate is a 2di or a 3di. I would argue that the benefits would be the same from getting I-369 designated along the Audubon Parkway than rerouting I-69 or from the I-67 proposal. Huntsville, AL, where I live, is on a 3di as well (I-565), but it reaps the same benefits from an interstate designation than other areas that are along 2di interstates. I haven't heard of any industries not coming to Huntsville due to a lack of interstate access.
I do agree with you on moving US 231 onto the Natcher, but if the Audubon gets I-369, I'd leave US 60 where it is.
H.B. -- I also agree with you. I don't see why highways like the PA Turnpike and your examples are OK, but ours aren't? It just seems silly. But, as long as there is that other option - moving 60, 231 and even 62 down to the south, for example - why not go that route and avoid the silliness all together???
The problem is, as you know, the inconsistent quality of US highways. Look at US 60, for example. West of Lexington, through Versailles to Frankfort, it's a four-lane route. East of Lexington, through Winchester to Mt. Sterling, it's a two-lane road that declines in quality the farther east you go.
With an Interstate designation, you know what you're getting -- a four- (or more) lane limited-access highway.
H.B. -- I also agree with you. I don't see why highways like the PA Turnpike and your examples are OK, but ours aren't? It just seems silly. But, as long as there is that other option - moving 60, 231 and even 62 down to the south, for example - why not go that route and avoid the silliness all together???
The problem is, as you know, the inconsistent quality of US highways. Look at US 60, for example. West of Lexington, through Versailles to Frankfort, it's a four-lane route. East of Lexington, through Winchester to Mt. Sterling, it's a two-lane road that declines in quality the farther east you go.
With an Interstate designation, you know what you're getting -- a four- (or more) lane limited-access highway.
A thought I have is that it would be beneficial to have a special designation for US highways that utilize 4 lane, limited-access routes, such as the KY Parkway network. You could call them US Express Routes, same number, but maybe utilize the blue/red colors on a US Shield. The colors of an interstate sign on a US Route sign. This would make perfect sense for US 41 to go over to the Breathitt, US 231 on the Natcher and so on. For example, it could be referred to as either Express 41 or US 41 Express.
H.B. -- I also agree with you. I don't see why highways like the PA Turnpike and your examples are OK, but ours aren't? It just seems silly. But, as long as there is that other option - moving 60, 231 and even 62 down to the south, for example - why not go that route and avoid the silliness all together???
The problem is, as you know, the inconsistent quality of US highways. Look at US 60, for example. West of Lexington, through Versailles to Frankfort, it's a four-lane route. East of Lexington, through Winchester to Mt. Sterling, it's a two-lane road that declines in quality the farther east you go.
With an Interstate designation, you know what you're getting -- a four- (or more) lane limited-access highway.
A thought I have is that it would be beneficial to have a special designation for US highways that utilize 4 lane, limited-access routes, such as the KY Parkway network. You could call them US Express Routes, same number, but maybe utilize the blue/red colors on a US Shield. The colors of an interstate sign on a US Route sign. This would make perfect sense for US 41 to go over to the Breathitt, US 231 on the Natcher and so on. For example, it could be referred to as either Express 41 or US 41 Express.
That's a great idea!
H.B. -- I also agree with you. I don't see why highways like the PA Turnpike and your examples are OK, but ours aren't? It just seems silly. But, as long as there is that other option - moving 60, 231 and even 62 down to the south, for example - why not go that route and avoid the silliness all together???
The problem is, as you know, the inconsistent quality of US highways. Look at US 60, for example. West of Lexington, through Versailles to Frankfort, it's a four-lane route. East of Lexington, through Winchester to Mt. Sterling, it's a two-lane road that declines in quality the farther east you go.
With an Interstate designation, you know what you're getting -- a four- (or more) lane limited-access highway.
Winnecke, along with Kentucky’s top transportation official, Mike Hancock are insistent that the previously charted and approved course for I-69 is set. They cite the millions that have already been spent on planning, research, studies and upgrades to roads.
Hancock, in fact, released the following written statement:
“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet does not plan to reroute Interstate 69 through Owensboro. Deviating from the congressionally designated Interstate 69 corridor would prove costly and be difficult to implement. The routes suggested through Owensboro are not compliant with federal interstate standards, nor is it the most direct and efficient route for motorists. We appreciate Mayor Payne’s input on the project, but the Cabinet will continue on the course that has been set.”
Wherever the course of I-69 eventually ends up, Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne doesn’t appear to be giving up easily.
“We got time, I mean, it’s 8-10 years before you even begin to talk about building a bridge. So, we have time to look at this. If this is the right course, that was originally proposed, fine. But if not, then maybe we need someone independent to take a look at this.”
Payne says in addition to his letter to governor Beshear, he’s also asked Senators Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul and Congressman Brett Guthrie to at least take a look at his plan.
The problem is, as you know, the inconsistent quality of US highways. Look at US 60, for example. West of Lexington, through Versailles to Frankfort, it's a four-lane route. East of Lexington, through Winchester to Mt. Sterling, it's a two-lane road that declines in quality the farther east you go.
With an Interstate designation, you know what you're getting -- a four- (or more) lane limited-access highway.
This shouldn't even be an argument. Owensboro is never going to get I-69. They are going to get the spur I-369. I-69 is finished from Crane to Evansville. Indiana could care less about Owensboro. The goal of I-69 in Indiana is to connect Indy to Evansville, not Indy to Owensboro. I-67 also will probably never happen. A new bridge across the Ohio River is probably never going to happen either, especially since new US 41 bridges are going to be built. An eastern bypass will probably be built around Henderson. Here is my proposal for the whole Ohio River Bridge project.
http://www.scribblemaps.com/create/#id=P_kuh1y__g
Note: I'm aware that my Henderson Bypass cuts through the northern edge of a state park, but it is higher ground than the Ohio River Valley. There are also other ways of getting to the Horse track than US 41.
My plan would probably save Indiana and Kentucky tons of money.
especially since new US 41 bridges are going to be built.
especially since new US 41 bridges are going to be built.???
New US 41 bridges have been discussed in some quarters
especially since new US 41 bridges are going to be built.
???
Still just replacing the US 41 bridges would cost a lot less. IDK if it's going to cost 2.5 million per bridge or if that's total cost. Let's say it is 5 million dollars total. 5 million plus the cost of an eastern Henderson bypass has to be a lot less than a new 1 billion dollar bridge.
KYTC has posted the 2014 Recommended Highway Plan (http://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Pages/2014-Highway-Plan.aspx). The Project Listing (http://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Highway%20Plan/2014RecommendedProjectListing.pdf) section includes preliminary engineering and environmental in 2018 for a possible US 41 bridge replacement as an intermediate solution for an I-69 bridge (page 55/139 of pdf)
(http://i.imgur.com/BnoPeJA.png)
^ $2.5 million just for the EA/EIS, not for any actual construction.
I'd still use the current bridges. If new ones are built, they should use the plans from when the bridges were first built.They don't meet interstate standards, so it's likely I-69 couldn't use them. You'd have to rebuild the bridges to standard anyways, and then you might as well avoid the park too. If you're gonna do something, do it right. "Temporary" solutions to get something in have a tendency to become permanent.
I'd still use the current bridges. If new ones are built, they should use the plans from when the bridges were first built.They don't meet interstate standards, so it's likely I-69 couldn't use them. You'd have to rebuild the bridges to standard anyways, and then you might as well avoid the park too. If you're gonna do something, do it right. "Temporary" solutions to get something in have a tendency to become permanent.
I-81 has used the 2-line Thousand Islands Bridge over the south channel of the St Lawrence River in NY. Of course, the traffic there is not enough to cause a problem.
Then tell me what those interchanges on Wellesley Island are. Its four lanes, 65 mph speed limit, service signs at interchanges, interstates standards for four miles from the bridge to Canada. NY does seem to drop the I-81 signs on the bridge itself though... in terms of signage, I-81 nearly has a gap.I-81 has used the 2-line Thousand Islands Bridge over the south channel of the St Lawrence River in NY. Of course, the traffic there is not enough to cause a problem.
Plus that's sort of negligibly even I-81 anymore other than simply in name. It's like the series of glorified ramps that constitute the east end of I-90 before the sign declares it ended well after everyone assumes it already was done.
I'd still use the current bridges. If new ones are built, they should use the plans from when the bridges were first built.They don't meet interstate standards, so it's likely I-69 couldn't use them. You'd have to rebuild the bridges to standard anyways, and then you might as well avoid the park too. If you're gonna do something, do it right. "Temporary" solutions to get something in have a tendency to become permanent.
The bridges would be grandfathered in to the interstate highway system. The Kansas Turnpike is not interstate quality, but it was grandfathered into the interstate system. These bridges have been there for a long time and they have worked very well. If semis are allowed to use them and they are each 2 lanes wide, then they should be used for the interstate. Not to mention that there is already a cloverleaf at the US 41 / I-164 interchange. The highway is in good shape to carry an interstate. I know that my proposal runs through the northern edge of a park, but it would not be the first park a major highway runs through.
Edge isn't as big of a deal as right through the middle.
Then tell me what those interchanges on Wellesley Island are. Its four lanes, 65 mph speed limit, service signs at interchanges, interstates standards for four miles from the bridge to Canada. NY does seem to drop the I-81 signs on the bridge itself though... in terms of signage, I-81 nearly has a gap.I-81 has used the 2-line Thousand Islands Bridge over the south channel of the St Lawrence River in NY. Of course, the traffic there is not enough to cause a problem.
Plus that's sort of negligibly even I-81 anymore other than simply in name. It's like the series of glorified ramps that constitute the east end of I-90 before the sign declares it ended well after everyone assumes it already was done.
The important difference between I-81 and I-69 is that I-81 was part of the original 1950s system. I-69 was not. AASHTO and the FHWA do not and will not ever grandfather in an interstate not part of the original system (this is the very definition of grandfathering in something... to include something that was made before the standard was set).
I'd still use the current bridges. If new ones are built, they should use the plans from when the bridges were first built.They don't meet interstate standards, so it's likely I-69 couldn't use them. You'd have to rebuild the bridges to standard anyways, and then you might as well avoid the park too. If you're gonna do something, do it right. "Temporary" solutions to get something in have a tendency to become permanent.
The bridges would be grandfathered in to the interstate highway system. The Kansas Turnpike is not interstate quality, but it was grandfathered into the interstate system. These bridges have been there for a long time and they have worked very well. If semis are allowed to use them and they are each 2 lanes wide, then they should be used for the interstate. Not to mention that there is already a cloverleaf at the US 41 / I-164 interchange. The highway is in good shape to carry an interstate. I know that my proposal runs through the northern edge of a park, but it would not be the first park a major highway runs through.
Edge isn't as big of a deal as right through the middle.
Don't recall this being discussed recently, but if the I-69 crossing goes upstream from Evansville (like it appears to be), will Indiana seek an x69 for the remainder of I-164?
Don't recall this being discussed recently, but if the I-69 crossing goes upstream from Evansville (like it appears to be), will Indiana seek an x69 for the remainder of I-164?
I think the general consensus is no, that it will be Veterans Parkway from that point. You are talking about less than 3 miles that could be designated as an interstate, seems kind of pointless.
There are rumors that INDOT is considering re-routing US 41 to use the current I-164 route. If that happens, then obviously it would be US 41.
It's not a national park it's a state park.
If 41 is moved to the I-164 route (a big IF in my opinion) it's not obvious that it would rejoin the old 41 route at the 164 interchange. INDOT could route 41 across the new I-69 bridge, if they can get Kentucky to agree. That might give a little additional boost to I-69 bridge toll receipts, which would be attractive to both states. I'm figuring it will be a toll bridge, though that's not set in stone.
If 41 is moved to the I-164 route (a big IF in my opinion) it's not obvious that it would rejoin the old 41 route at the 164 interchange. INDOT could route 41 across the new I-69 bridge, if they can get Kentucky to agree. That might give a little additional boost to I-69 bridge toll receipts, which would be attractive to both states. I'm figuring it will be a toll bridge, though that's not set in stone.
Would a potential move of 41 be to keep traffic coming from Terre Haute, Princeton, etc., on a through-route-grade road on south, or would there be some other reason?
I heard its going to be I-169
SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
I heard its going to be I-169
SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Oh no, that will probably get Mayor Ron worked up again. Somehow in his mind, having a 369 or 569 for the Audubon will not be as significant as 169.
Funny, all these towns try to get every bit of concrete they can converted to a blue-red shield, but sitting here in Evansville, I just don't see the need to make the stub anything other than Veterans Parkway. I guess it could be designated Bypass 41.
If 41 is moved to the I-164 route (a big IF in my opinion) it's not obvious that it would rejoin the old 41 route at the 164 interchange. INDOT could route 41 across the new I-69 bridge, if they can get Kentucky to agree. That might give a little additional boost to I-69 bridge toll receipts, which would be attractive to both states. I'm figuring it will be a toll bridge, though that's not set in stone.
Would a potential move of 41 be to keep traffic coming from Terre Haute, Princeton, etc., on a through-route-grade road on south, or would there be some other reason?
More likely due to Indiana's mileage caps, since they'd likely give old 41 to the city.
As of 2013 (http://www.in.gov/indot/2722.htm) they have 832 miles of wiggle room. Getting rid of a 16-mile piece of US 41 isn't going to matter much either way.
(PS: in that table WTF do they mean by "Old State Road" and "Old US route"? Are those internal designations for still-maintained old alignments?)
That's wierd. You would think they would have routed us 150 onto that piece
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/feb/12/lobbyists-to-be-hired-for-i-69-bridge/
The article indicates that Western Kentucky and Indiana groups have hired Appian, Inc., an Indianapolis firm specializing in transportation lobbying, to lobby for federal funding for the project. The groups concede that tolls will comprise part of the funding, but will only cover 26% to 43% of the cost.
This letter from SW Indiana Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Matthew Meadors (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/apr/09/no-headline---ebj_chamberfromthepresident/) seems to set forth a game plan to obtaining the other 57% to 74% of the funding for the bridge:
(1) get I-69 to be designated a Project of National and Regional Significance in the federal highway reauthorization bill, (2) have the Federal Highway Administration appoint a national Interstate 69 Project Manager, (3) maintain that the I-69 Ohio River crossing is important in both regional and national terms, (4) emphasize the age of the US 41 twin bridges, as well as the fact that they are neither tornado nor earthquake proof, and (5) emphasize the dramatic, negative impact that the loss of one or both of the US 41 bridges would have on the regional economy. Apparently, the thinking is that all of the above would make the I-69 Ohio River Bridge a high priority for a FHWA I-69 Project Manager.QuoteI am writing this letter to you on the morning (significance to come) of Tuesday, Feb. 29, one day after returning from a trip to Washington, D.C., with a delegation of business leaders from Southwest Indiana and Northwest Kentucky to discuss our region's needs with federal officials. Our visit had a heavy focus on advocating for the completion of Interstate 69 within Indiana and Kentucky, as well as along the entire national corridor, and construction of a new Ohio River bridge linking Evansville to Henderson.
The visit included a luncheon meeting that was attended by influencers from many parts of the eight state I-69 corridor. Speakers included Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas; Gov. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky; Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky; Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear; Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Michael Cline; Jennifer Shepard, executive director of the Alliance for I-69 in Texas; and Mike Schopmeyer, past chairman of the board of directors for The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana.
During visits with our elected officials to discuss the highway and bridge project, we stayed on message. Key points of our discussions included:
Designate Interstate 69 a Project of National and Regional Significance in the federal highway reauthorization bill. This designation will make segments of the highway throughout the corridor eligible for programmatic funding from the Federal Highway Administration and partially mitigate the need for lawmakers to ask for large earmarks to help build the road;
Have the Federal Highway Administration appoint an Interstate 69 Project Manager. This has been done in the past for other multistate highway projects and there is enough progress being made along the entire national corridor — and awareness of the importance of the project to the nation's economic competitiveness — that a Project Manager is warranted;
The construction of a new bridge between Evansville and Henderson is critically important not only to our economic region, but the entire multistate corridor;
The importance of tolling and allowing public/private partnerships to be established to help fund our nation's infrastructure needs.
The Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Bridges, or more commonly referred to as the twin bridges by those of us who call the region home, were also discussed fairly extensively during our visit. We talked about the age of the bridges (northbound bridge was built in 1932; southbound bridge was built in 1966), quality of construction, usage (approximately 40,000 vehicles per day), the fact that the bridges are not earthquake or tornado proof, and the dramatic, negative impact that the loss of one or both bridges would have on our regional economy.
Which brings me full circle to the significance of the morning of February 29. Most of us watched in a state of great concern as the weather forecasters told us of an approaching tornado, while warning sirens wailed in the distance. It was a few minutes before 6 a.m. The tornado was taking aim at our fellow citizens and the twin bridges. I could hardly believe that I had just returned from Washington, D.C., to discuss our infrastructure needs the evening before, and was now sitting in my family room watching a very serious storm approach. Thankfully a catastrophe was avoided. No lives were lost. Property damage was significant but not great. The twin bridges remained standing.
We need a new bridge. We will make it happen.
Mayor Annoying Orange is still at it...from today's Evansville Courier and Press:
Transportation chief rejects rerouting of I-69 (again) but Owensboro mayor to continue campaign
By Chuck Stinnett
Posted March 10, 2014 at 5:16 p.m.
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has, through his state transportation secretary, declined to pursue rerouting Interstate 69 through Daviess County, as the mayor of Owensboro has recently proposed.
But Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne said Monday that he intends to press forward with his campaign and intends to meet with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on the matter.
Additionally, he said state Sen. Joe Bowen of Owensboro is working to arrange meetings with state transportation officials in both Kentucky and Indiana.
Further, Payne said he might propose that the city of Owensboro hire an engineering firm to prepare cost estimates to compare the cost of building a new billion-dollar bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville versus upgrading highways in Owensboro and Southern Indiana and using the existing Natcher Bridge in eastern Daviess County.
The state’s latest rejection of his proposal “just doesn’t change anything,” Payne said.
He said he is also anxious to see a state-commissioned study by Palmer Engineering of Winchester. The study was originally intended to look at the cost of upgrading state parkways into interstate spurs that would connect Owensboro to Interstate 69 at Henderson and Interstate 65 at Bowling Green, but Payne said its scope has been expanded to look at the cost of using the Natcher Bridge for I-69.
“If there is substantial savings to move (I-69) through here, I want someone to tell me why not do that,” the Owensboro mayor declared.
“This may go nowhere,” he said. “But the taxpayers of Indiana and Kentucky need to have this done.”
Payne on Feb. 26 wrote to Beshear, asking that “all work on the I-69 corridor in Kentucky be suspended” until consideration had been given to using the existing U.S. 231/Natcher Bridge in eastern Daviess County.
On Friday, Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock, at the governor’s request, advised Payne that the corridor won’t be moved.
Hancock said the I-69 corridor from Mexico to Canada, including the section at Henderson and Evansville, “was selected through intensive evaluation of alternative corridors and associated environmental effects,” a process that “culminated in Congressional action to write the corridor location into federal law.”
“This routing was decided following several decades of discussion and decision making,” Will Wingfield, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Transportation, echoed in an email message to The Gleaner.
Both Kentucky and Indiana have worked over the past several years to route I-69 to Henderson and Evansville.
Kentucky has already awarded $34 million in contracts to upgrade portions of the Pennyrile Parkway to become I-69 from Henderson to Madisonville, with more expected.
Indiana, meanwhile, “has opened 96 miles of interstate pointed toward Evansville and (has) an additional 27 miles under construction,” Wingfield said.
“Given the investment each state is currently making in Interstate 69, it is much too late to seriously consider adjusting the corridor to go through Owensboro,” Hancock wrote to Payne.
“I believe concrete speaks louder than words on this issue,” Wingfield agreed.
Payne stunned I-69 supporters on Feb. 6 by proposing that instead of tying into the Pennyrile, I-69 should continue eastward on the Western Kentucky Parkway for some 30 miles, then travel north on the Green River Parkway, east on the Owensboro Bypass and U.S. 60 to the four-lane Natcher Bridge near Maceo, Ky. From there, his proposal would have I-69 travel north on U.S. 231 in Southern Indiana before heading back west on I-64 to the existing I-69 terminus northeast of Evansville.
In his letter Friday, Hancock declared: “Neither the existing Owensboro Bypass, the Owensboro Bypass Extension currently being completed, U.S. 60 from Owensboro to the Natcher Bridge, the Natcher Bridge itself nor the recently improved U.S. 231 in Southern Indiana are interstate-compatible facilities. Accordingly, both Kentucky and Indiana would incur huge expense in reconstructing these routes to fully access-controlled interstate standards with sufficient roadway and bridge widths to accommodate Interstate 69.”
“The letter reiterates everything we’ve been saying the last month since this controversy arose,” Kyndle President and CEO Brad Schneider of Henderson, a leading I-69 booster, said Monday.
The governor’s views on I-69 are “the same as the letter,” Schneider said. “I know they collaborated on it.”
U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield similarly has dismissed Payne’s proposal, declaring at a Feb. 19 Kyndle luncheon here that the Henderson-Evansville route is “an issue that’s already been decided and it’s over.”
My goodness, this guy is one piece of work! He blatantly just wants the reroute to benefit Owensboro, His thoughts on where 69 should go are stupid! The supposed cost savings by using 231 will just go to the new terrain routes and upgrading what is already there! 69 isn't allowed to go on the 231 bridge due to some road width issues as the cabinet says. Will he just give up! The route he proposes makes no sense at all, it will zig-zag to the point where the road isn't even useful. Payne give it up! You have 0% chance of winning this one! I like how his route completely screws over evansville completely. What do you guys think? does he have any chance at changing the route?
Further, Payne said he might propose that the city of Owensboro hire an engineering firm to prepare cost estimates to compare the cost of building a new billion-dollar bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville versus upgrading highways in Owensboro and Southern Indiana and using the existing Natcher Bridge in eastern Daviess County.
Speaking very selfishly, I'll be friends with any mayor who wants to waste money on engineering studies, as long as he asks my company to do them. (:Further, Payne said he might propose that the city of Owensboro hire an engineering firm to prepare cost estimates to compare the cost of building a new billion-dollar bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville versus upgrading highways in Owensboro and Southern Indiana and using the existing Natcher Bridge in eastern Daviess County.
Well, that's going to make him some friends.
Can he be impeached for idiocy? His idea makes even less sense that the most nonsensical posts in fictional highways. It's blatantly obvious he knows nothing about interstates beyond "they're that thing with the blue shield that businesses like".
Speaking very selfishly, I'll be friends with any mayor who wants to waste money on engineering studies, as long as he asks my company to do them. (:Yes, I imagine such friendship comes with lots of "benefits".
I also agree with quesitoning why this proposed interstate is going to Washington instead of straight up 231 to 69. That appears to add at least 35-40 miles to the route.Using current roads from Jasper to Washington and then I-69 is 14 miles longer than sticking to US 231. A straighter route bypassing Jasper to the west would cut that to below 10 miles. On the other hand, it would cut necessary construction by at least 15-20 miles.
I also agree with quesitoning why this proposed interstate is going to Washington instead of straight up 231 to 69. That appears to add at least 35-40 miles to the route.
i-67 has very questionable usefulness at best, what is wrong with a 4 lane divided highway with a 60mph speed limit? We don't need interstates everywhere!
i-67 has very questionable usefulness at best, what is wrong with a 4 lane divided highway with a 60mph speed limit? We don't need interstates everywhere!as long as there are no traffic lights; I'm okay with at-grades when needed.
i-67 has very questionable usefulness at best, what is wrong with a 4 lane divided highway with a 60mph speed limit? We don't need interstates everywhere!
i-67 has very questionable usefulness at best, what is wrong with a 4 lane divided highway with a 60mph speed limit? We don't need interstates everywhere!
Agreed. US 41 is deemed adequate serving Evansville, Vincennes, Terre Haute to NW Indiana/Chicago. US 30 works for Ft. Wayne, Wabash and NW Indiana/Chicago, US 24 out of Fort Wayne, US 31 South Bend/Indy...surely the same would be sufficient in serving towns the size of Owensboro and Jasper. Based on population alone, I would have to assume that traffic counts are significantly higher on US 41, 24, 30 and 31 than would ever be counted along US 231 in Southern Indiana.
And having I-67 take over I-369 to meet I-69 in Henderson would be cheaper still.I also agree with quesitoning why this proposed interstate is going to Washington instead of straight up 231 to 69. That appears to add at least 35-40 miles to the route.
Since I-69 is already built, going to Washington would mean fewer miles would need to be constructed than if going up 231.
i-67 has very questionable usefulness at best, what is wrong with a 4 lane divided highway with a 60mph speed limit? We don't need interstates everywhere!
Agreed. US 41 is deemed adequate serving Evansville, Vincennes, Terre Haute to NW Indiana/Chicago. US 30 works for Ft. Wayne, Wabash and NW Indiana/Chicago, US 24 out of Fort Wayne, US 31 South Bend/Indy...surely the same would be sufficient in serving towns the size of Owensboro and Jasper. Based on population alone, I would have to assume that traffic counts are significantly higher on US 41, 24, 30 and 31 than would ever be counted along US 231 in Southern Indiana.
"But..but..but..(sputter)..the magic red, white, and blue Interstate shield always brings more jobs and moar money! It's magic, I tell you! It will magically turn our town into NYC from this shithole just by being posted!"
- Mayor of the Village of Buttfuck, State of Pissant
U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, sent a letter to the Federal Highway Administration, Feb. 26, 2014 regarding recent proposals to alter the route of Interstate-69.
In the letter Whitfield stated: “It has recently come to my attention that some people are interested in shifting the route to the east, following United State Highway 231 from Washington, Indiana to Owensboro, Kentucky.”
Whitfield pointed out that the route currently designated as Interstate-69 is of vital importance to Western, KY, and that he was instrumental in seeing this route designated in Federal law as part of the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-244).
Today, Whitfield received an official response from FHWA Deputy Administrator Gregory Nadeau.
In his response, Deputy Administrator Nadeau confirmed that a change in Federal law would be necessary in order to re-route Interstate-69 through Owensboro.
He also stated that the impacts of altering the route at this point would be significant and cost prohibitive, as millions of dollars have already been spent based on current statute and already completed work would essentially have to be re-started in order to accommodate the new route.
“I am pleased that FHWA agrees with me that not only would it require a change in federal law to move the route, but it would also be cost prohibitive. It is also my understanding that the William Natcher Bridge in Owensboro is only a two lane bridge and does not meet Interstate bridge standards, which require a four lane bridge and an emergency safety lane. This essentially negates claims that have been made that the Natcher Bridge would prevent a new bridge from having to be built,” said Whitfield. “I understand importance of Interstate 69 to Kentucky and to my constituents in Henderson and the surrounding communities. It is essential that we remain united and committed to completing the designated route as soon as possible,” he concluded.
Except they claim that the US 231 bridge is interstate quality.Looks like it is.
Except they claim that the US 231 bridge is interstate quality.Looks like it is.
US 231 Natcher Bridge:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/William_H._Natcher_Bridge_Drivethru_P6230270.JPG)
I-295 Dames Point Bridge:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Northbound_on_Dames_Point_Bridge.jpg/496px-Northbound_on_Dames_Point_Bridge.jpg) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Northbound_on_Dames_Point_Bridge.jpg)
Wouldn't an interstate bridge need 2 ten foot wide shoulders on either side of the 2 lanes?The Dames Point Bridge doesn't have either, and the FHWA made it part of I-295 in 2010 (or 2011?).
The other US 41 bridge is about 50 years older. Go look for a photo of it and then compare it to the newer span.
The other US 41 bridge is about 50 years older. Go look for a photo of it and then compare it to the newer span.
Yep, and the old (northbound) is not wide enough to meet interstate standards. He keeps advocating using the US 41 spans for I-69. In of itself, I really don't have a problem with it, although if that is the case, I would suggest elevating it through the so called Henderson strip rather than ramming it through Audubon Park. But regardless, it still doesn't address the need that Evansville-Henderson needs a second crossing.
You add the 69 traffic to these spans, and the frequent back ups and delays will only get worse. Not to mention, the northbound span is over 80 years old.
Are their any other unsigned state roads in Indiana?
SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Also, does anyone else think I-69's routing along the parkways of Kentucky is terribly inefficient and jagged?
Angel Mounds State Historic Site is in the way if the highway were to go straight south from Covert Avenue. It also looks like there would be a few homes in the way. Meanwhile, south along Green River Road there looks to be about nothing, so it's by far the path of least resistance. As for Henderson to Calvert City route, it was the only way that Kentucky could have the interstate without having to do all those environmental studies that would take years, not to mention that whole building a new-terrain route thing that would cut through some people's properties.
Game over for Ron Payne... FHWA says that the current route on the Parkways is designated in Federal law.
Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars it would cost to bring Interstate 69 through Owensboro instead of the route selected for it through Evansville and Henderson, Mayor Ron Payne on Monday was still arguing his case, this time to Kevin McClearn, chief district engineer for District 2 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet....
For more than four months, Payne has argued long and hard that routing I-69 through Owensboro and using the William Natcher Bridge would be far less expensive than building a $1.4 billion bridge many years from now across the Ohio River in Evansville-Henderson.
"Why is I-69 going where it is going?" Payne asked McClearn. "We could save a whole lot of money."
Payne insisted to McClearn that, despite all the cost figures contained in the Palmer report for upgrading parkways, four-lane highways and interchanges around Owensboro, all of it together won't cost as much as building a single interstate bridge over the Ohio River.
McClearn answered by saying the route of I-69 has been set by Congress and that work on it in Kentucky is very far along.
"We've followed the law," he said. "We've spent millions, and I-69 is going well. I know Owensboro wants to be on an interstate, and I hope it works out."
Arguing your case before a chief district engineer on a project this big is about the biggest exercise in futility this side of trying to convince a vegan to eat a big ol' sirloin steak.
These projects are planned by, at the lowest level, the KYTC higher-ups in Frankfort or the state legislature, or in this case, Congress and the FHWA. A CDE has absolutely no influence over a decision like this. The mayor may be trying to win over an advocate for his cause, but what he's most likely doing is causing the CDE to say the same thing just about everybody else has said: "This guy's certifiable and I wish he'd just go away and leave us all alone."
Here goes ... in PDF form:
https://sites.google.com/site/jdtvbfiles/files/editorial.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1
I cut off the headline: "Palmer report validates local concerns" ... riiiiiight.
Here goes ... in PDF form:
https://sites.google.com/site/jdtvbfiles/files/editorial.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1
I cut off the headline: "Palmer report validates local concerns" ... riiiiiight.
I-69 was always going to go through Evansville, no other route was ever in the plans ever you can say there were alternatives, but they all went to Evansville, the whole purpose of this highway ever existing in Indiana was to connect Indy with Eville, for the idiot leaders in Owensboro to think that Indiana would have ever even considered using 231, they must be smoking something! And now I hear they want I-67, which isn't even useful, it's pure selfishness that they want this highway! I-67 is of least importance to Indiana, there are many projects that were supposed to be built around the state that were defunded and indefinitely shelved because money for them was moved to 69. There are many, many projects around the state that make more since now than another interstate that parallels an already adequate interstate already in existence. A 4 lane divided highway is good enough Owensboro, why are they crying so much? They already get a spur of 69!
Maybe the mayor wants to set up a "compromise" where he will accept the I-69 spur and take credit for a plan that already existed long before he became mayor?
Maybe the mayor wants to set up a "compromise" where he will accept the I-69 spur and take credit for a plan that already existed long before he became mayor?
From what I understand (and keeping in mind that I am about 5 hours from Owensboro), the mayor isn't bright enough to come up with a plot like that.
From what I understand (and keeping in mind that I am about 5 hours from Owensboro), the mayor isn't bright enough to come up with a plot like that.
What was the cost for the Natcher bridge when it was built? The traffic counts on it appear to be fairly small. I don't recall Ron Payne or the M-I showing any fiscal concern when this bridge was built.
Both US 41 and the I-69 bridges will have considerably higher traffic counts than the Natcher can ever hope to attain.
It's bad enough the mayor is brain-dead, but how can you take a newspaper seriously when they obviously have no idea that 69 is ALREADY COMPLETED to Evansville.
Thanks for a very interesting clip. It starts out as a roast of Mayor Payne, but it quickly moves on to a serious discussion of the bridges. The Chamber sees the new bridges connecting Evansville and Henderson as inevitable, and I agree. The question is when they will be built. Judging from this clip and other news I've seen upthread, there is a lot of sentiment that it should be done by 2020. That very optimistic goal may not be attainable, but the number of influential forces that are lining up will put a lot of political pressure on getting it done.That's a lot of work to be done in six years, and I can only imagine the amount of environmental work that will need to be done on a major river crossing like this.
The Brent Spence bridge replacement in Cincinnati is a greater need, and Kentucky will be committing to completing a new 50-mile four-lane Mountain Parkway/KY 114 route between Campton and Prestonsburg by 2020, so I really don't see a 2020 completion date for the I-69 bridges as a reasonable possibility.
Further, Payne said he might propose that the city of Owensboro hire an engineering firm to prepare cost estimates to compare the cost of building a new billion-dollar bridge across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville versus upgrading highways in Owensboro and Southern Indiana and using the existing Natcher Bridge in eastern Daviess CountyWell, that's going to make him some friends.
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says the I-69 bridge could be a lot cheaper than first projected.
Mayor Winnecke says a new study shows the bridge could cost about $800 million. That's $600 million less than first thought.
Winnecke says this new estimate is partly based on the savings seen in St. Louis with the I-70 bridge.
"The 2008 estimate of $1.4 billion we believe is high," said Mayor Winnecke. "Now with what we've witnessed in St. Louis we really believe it's high, and so we have folks working to narrow to a more refined scope."
Mayor Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin hope to have the bridge built by the year 2020. Both expect it to be a toll bridge. However, a price to cross the bridge hasn't been revealed.
^ They do remember that only have of the I-70 Mississippi bridge was built, even after scaling it back once, right? IIRC, the bids for the main span of that bridge were still over the estimate.
Steven Ross, Transportation Engineering Branch Manager at KYTC, just posted the entire Ohio River Bridge DEIS. Links to sections of the DEIS can found in the "Henderson to Evansville - Proposed Interstate 69" section at the bottom of this page:
http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/I-69.aspx
In an email, he cautions that, as time has passed, it is now basically an artifact of history:QuotePlease be advised that a final environmental assessment was never approved by the Federal Highway Administration due to the inability of the Henderson-Evansville MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan being able to demonstrate fiscal constraint with this project included. Given the inability to pay for the alternatives under consideration at that point in time and due to the passage of time, all work prepared really just becomes background or reference information for a new process that would be required should there become a means to fund this undertaking.
This TV video (http://www.tristatehomepage.com/story/d/story/new-i-69-bridge-could-be-cheaper-than-first-projec/12452/uxo-FAbnKkW6rbmNxcA57Q) reports that Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin still hope to have the bridge built by 2020, and Winnecke says a new study supports a reduced cost estimate of $800 million to build the bridge
Plans for an Interstate 69 bridge linking Indiana and Kentucky received a boost of recognition from the state on Wednesday.
The project was scored among the highest for future transportation projects by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure, whose membership includes Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.
Gov. Mike Pence accepted the recommendations from the report, but though it lists the I-69 bridge as a key state project, no funding is provided for the project by its inclusion in the report.
Winnecke, who was in Indianapolis for the report’s release, said he’s working to dispel a cost estimate of $1.4 billion for the project. He said the actual cost for the bridge over the Ohio River likely will range between $700 million and $800 million.
Winnecke said he’s asked Pence to provide funding for an environmental impact study for the bridge, which is a required step to determine the route.
Winnecke said he was pleasantly surprised to see how the bridge rated in the report by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure and how other members of the commission saw its importance. The bridge is included as one of four “Tier 1” projects, which rated as the most significant to the state.
“One of the beauties of the commission is that people really took time to research and read data that were presented in the project,” Winnecke said. “In our minds in Southwest Indiana, (the bridge) is a completion of I-69.” ....
Building the I-69 bridge will be a joint venture between Kentucky and Indiana.
Kentucky officials have already done work to study a potential location for the bridge and hope is for construction to begin by 2020.
In October, Winnecke and Henderson (Kentucky) Mayor Steve Austin launched BridgeLink, an organization focused on building the bridge over the Ohio River.
Steven Ross, Transportation Engineering Branch Manager at KYTC, just posted the entire Ohio River Bridge DEIS. Links to sections of the DEIS can found in the "Henderson to Evansville - Proposed Interstate 69" section at the bottom of this page:
http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/I-69.aspx
In an email, he cautions that, as time has passed, it is now basically an artifact of history:QuotePlease be advised that a final environmental assessment was never approved by the Federal Highway Administration due to the inability of the Henderson-Evansville MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan being able to demonstrate fiscal constraint with this project included. Given the inability to pay for the alternatives under consideration at that point in time and due to the passage of time, all work prepared really just becomes background or reference information for a new process that would be required should there become a means to fund this undertaking.This TV video (http://www.tristatehomepage.com/story/d/story/new-i-69-bridge-could-be-cheaper-than-first-projec/12452/uxo-FAbnKkW6rbmNxcA57Q) reports that Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin still hope to have the bridge built by 2020, and Winnecke says a new study supports a reduced cost estimate of $800 million to build the bridge
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2014/jul/09/state-transportation-panel-ranks-i-69-bridge-as/) reports that the Indiana Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure lists the I-69 bridge as a key state project and that Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has asked Governor Mike Pence to provide funding for an environmental impact study for the bridge:QuotePlans for an Interstate 69 bridge linking Indiana and Kentucky received a boost of recognition from the state on Wednesday.
The project was scored among the highest for future transportation projects by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure, whose membership includes Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.
Gov. Mike Pence accepted the recommendations from the report, but though it lists the I-69 bridge as a key state project, no funding is provided for the project by its inclusion in the report.
Winnecke, who was in Indianapolis for the report’s release, said he’s working to dispel a cost estimate of $1.4 billion for the project. He said the actual cost for the bridge over the Ohio River likely will range between $700 million and $800 million.
Winnecke said he’s asked Pence to provide funding for an environmental impact study for the bridge, which is a required step to determine the route.
Winnecke said he was pleasantly surprised to see how the bridge rated in the report by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure and how other members of the commission saw its importance. The bridge is included as one of four “Tier 1” projects, which rated as the most significant to the state.
“One of the beauties of the commission is that people really took time to research and read data that were presented in the project,” Winnecke said. “In our minds in Southwest Indiana, (the bridge) is a completion of I-69.” ....
Building the I-69 bridge will be a joint venture between Kentucky and Indiana.
Kentucky officials have already done work to study a potential location for the bridge and hope is for construction to begin by 2020.
In October, Winnecke and Henderson (Kentucky) Mayor Steve Austin launched BridgeLink, an organization focused on building the bridge over the Ohio River.
edit
I just noticed that Captain Jack posted a link to this article in the Indiana thread before I finished this post:
http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4855.msg311313#msg311313
I'll go ahead and keep this post unless the mods want to delete it.
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2014/jul/09/state-transportation-panel-ranks-i-69-bridge-as/)QuoteEvansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. ....
said he’s working to dispel a cost estimate of $1.4 billion for the project. He said the actual cost for the bridge over the Ohio River likely will range between $700 million and $800 million ...
For years, the greatest obstacle in building a bridge across the Ohio River here for Interstate 69 has been summed up by a cost estimate that was developed a decade ago: $1.4 billion.
Now, a Henderson-Evansville I-69 advocacy group is presenting a modified vision for the project that it says could be built for approximately $800 million — roughly half the cost of the earlier proposal ....
The cost savings would come largely from modifying two aspects of the original proposal:
Constructing a four-lane, rather than a six-lane bridge, with narrower shoulders. It would be 83 feet wide instead of the original 130-foot-wide proposal.
Shaving three miles off a new I-69 roadway, or approaches, that would tie the bridge in with the existing Pennyrile Parkway at Henderson. The previous vision was to have I-69 swing more than a mile east of the Henderson city limits, crossing U.S. 60-East between Broadview and Pleasantview subdivisions; passing over Kentucky 351 west of Zion; and then crossing the Audubon Parkway before tying into the Pennyrile Parkway somewhere south of the Kentucky 425/South Bypass, a mile or two south of Henderson.
BridgeLink instead proposes having I-69 skirt Henderson’s eastern city limits, crossing U.S. 60-East just east of the railroad viaduct, then passing through farmland behind Balmoral Acres subdivision before tying into the U.S. 41-Bypass (between Kentucky 351 and the U.S. 60 cloverleaf) just north of where it connects with the Pennyrile.
Such a route would trim the length of the new roadway from 9.2 miles to 6.2 miles and reduce the number of interchanges that would be required from five to three by eliminating the need for interchanges at Kentucky 351 and the Audubon Parkway.
“It misses Audubon State Park, it misses the wetlands (along the Ohio River that are associated with the park) and goes between housing (subdivisions),” Austin said. “All these things are doable and they come in at slightly less than $800 million,” helped in part by reducing the estimated cost of design work and project contingency percentage to what he called “industry standards.” ....
As for reducing the bridge itself from six lanes to four, Austin said that would be comparable to the newly opened I-70 bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Louis, which he said handles traffic volumes comparable to an I-69 bridge here ....
BridgeLink also contends that the cost of maintenance on the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges could be reduced if all heavy trucks were required to use the I-69 bridge; Austin said getting heavy trucks off U.S. 41 might also make it feasible to eventually convert the 82-year-old northbound U.S. 41 bridge for use by pedestrians and bicyclists only.
Steven Ross, Transportation Engineering Branch Manager at KYTC, just posted the entire Ohio River Bridge DEIS. Links to sections of the DEIS can found in the "Henderson to Evansville - Proposed Interstate 69" section at the bottom of this page:
http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/I-69.aspx
The BridgeLink proposal for the bridge approach was one of nine that Kentucky and Indiana considered more than a decade ago, he noted. (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet engineers have also recently been looking at ways to reduce the length and cost of the approach route.)
Why would they decommission the us 41 bridge? Why not just build a new one?
Why would they decommission the us 41 bridge? Why not just build a new one?
They could build a new 41 bridge and replace the really old one. Then route 69 onto US 41 over the River.
Just leave it alone and have I-69 run through Henderson like I-180 runs in WY and I-70 through Breezewood. Tons of money saved and good enough to get the job done. This is an excellent stopping point for folks.
Why would they decommission the us 41 bridge? Why not just build a new one?It needs to be replaced anyways, and US 41 will likely have no need for more than two lanes after I-69 is built. Why not save some money?
US 41 already handles interstate traffic. The bridges lead to Indiana, however, the other side of the river is still Kentucky at that point.
Just leave it alone and have I-69 run through Henderson like I-180 runs in WY and I-70 through Breezewood. Tons of money saved and good enough to get the job done. This is an excellent stopping point for folks.
When I need to get to Chicagoland and points north in WI I use US 41. The highway is just fine as is. Yes the bridge does need work. I don't want it to collapse and dump into the Ohio. I think it is a nice break to stop in Henderson, not that Henderson is something special, but just nice to say hey it is time to stop.
Why would they decommission the us 41 bridge? Why not just build a new one?It needs to be replaced anyways, and US 41 will likely have no need for more than two lanes after I-69 is built. Why not save some money?
When I need to get to Chicagoland and points north in WI I use US 41. The highway is just fine as is. Yes the bridge does need work. I don't want it to collapse and dump into the Ohio. I think it is a nice break to stop in Henderson, not that Henderson is something special, but just nice to say hey it is time to stop.
Why wouldn't they just get on I-69 for the short hop? I guarantee you there will be at least one Henderson interchange on that side of the city and an interchange near where the current US 41/I-69 interchange is.Why would they decommission the us 41 bridge? Why not just build a new one?It needs to be replaced anyways, and US 41 will likely have no need for more than two lanes after I-69 is built. Why not save some money?
Wanna bet? US-41 connects the downtowns of two cities on either side of the Ohio River at this point. It should maintain 4 lanes (2 per direction).
Why wouldn't they just get on I-69 for the short hop? I guarantee you there will be at least one Henderson interchange on that side of the city and an interchange near where the current US 41/I-69 interchange is.Why would they decommission the us 41 bridge? Why not just build a new one?It needs to be replaced anyways, and US 41 will likely have no need for more than two lanes after I-69 is built. Why not save some money?
Wanna bet? US-41 connects the downtowns of two cities on either side of the Ohio River at this point. It should maintain 4 lanes (2 per direction).
When I need to get to Chicagoland and points north in WI I use US 41. The highway is just fine as is. Yes the bridge does need work. I don't want it to collapse and dump into the Ohio. I think it is a nice break to stop in Henderson, not that Henderson is something special, but just nice to say hey it is time to stop.
When I need to get to Chicagoland and points north in WI I use US 41. The highway is just fine as is. Yes the bridge does need work. I don't want it to collapse and dump into the Ohio. I think it is a nice break to stop in Henderson, not that Henderson is something special, but just nice to say hey it is time to stop.
That's the reason we have those things called "exits" and "business routes".
Through traffic that is bypassing Henderson should not have to endure stoppage and traffic lights just so you can have a "great place to rest". Either upgrade US 41 to proper Interstate standards with a new/better bridge, or build the bypass. I-69 is mostly about international freight/national travel between Mexico/South Texas and the Midwest, anyway.
The whole "international freight" thing I always thought was bs.Agreed. We already have a perfectly good interstate system international freight can use. Aside from south Texas, the most-used part of I-69 for international traffic will probably be the Michigan one, to bypass Detroit. The interior parts of I-69 will likely never be more than anything beyond regional connectors.
Here is a snip of the map of BridgeLink's suggested alternative from the article:
(http://i.imgur.com/1YMqwHf.jpg)
New here - but having just travelled there on a vacation, I would say the best idea:
* Replace the older US 41 bridge and rehabilitate the existing US 41 bridge
* Upgrade existing US 41 in Henderson to a freeway (speed limit: 55 mph), elevating at ramps, using service roads to maintain local access
* Interchanges at Waterworks Road for island area access, KY-414/Stratman Road (partial - to/from north only) and Watson Lane, and a reconstruction of the US 60 interchange to eliminate some loop ramps and improve service road access
Lowest cost routing that allows for I-69 to be continuous relatively quickly.
I think keeping them separate is better having a bypass for through traffic would be great especially in the event that an accident closes a bridge.
The ROW is too difficult in Henderson. Old news.Why would they decommission the us 41 bridge? Why not just build a new one?They could build a new 41 bridge and replace the really old one. Then route 69 onto US 41 over the River.
A bridge like "The Stan" would be sufficient to carry traffic across the Ohio there for at least the foreseeable future, IMHO. Keep in mind, most local traffic would probably still use the Twin Bridges. I could be wrong, but if it they can find a way to get it for less, I think they ought to do it.
In the recently completed I-69 Innovative Financing Study Final Findings (http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/statewide_planning/Studies/AHTD%20I-69%20Innovative%20Financing%20Study_Final%20Findings%20Report_02192013.pdf) and the Executive Summary (http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/statewide_planning/Studies/AHTD%20I-69%20Innovative%20Financing%20Study_Executive%20Summary_01092013.pdf), the Final Findings set forth a standalone traffic and toll analysis for the I-69 Ohio River BridgeOn pages 47-49/122 of the Final Findings (pages 42-44 of the document), an analysis is performed under three scenarios to determine what percentage of the bridge's project cost could be covered by innovative financing. The three scenarios and the percentage covered by innovative financing:
1. Base Case: This case assumes the SIU’s financing is solely supported by toll revenues. 71%.
2. Case 1: Under this case, the security for the bonds and the TIFIA loan are enhanced by a contractual obligation of the State DOT to pay operations, maintenance and rehabilitation, and replacement expenses to the extent toll revenues are not sufficient. This back‐up obligation or “credit enhancement” allows the bonds and TIFIA loan to be secured by a pledge of gross toll revenues. 90%.
3. Case 2: This case improves on Case 1 by adding a full secondary lien security or legal pledge to the debt from a high credit worthy nontoll revenue source(s) such as a state transportation trust fund or a state’s full faith and credit. This significantly improves the SIU’s credit rating to an assumed ‘AA‐’ that results in additional project debt proceeds. 100%.
Further studies are being done or are on the drawing board, said Rusty Fowler, the district engineer with the Indiana Department of Transportation who has responsibility for the southwest part of the state. “That’s the first thing we’ve got to find out — how are we going to fund this thing.
“If we don’t follow the rules it jeopardizes federal funding,” he said in response to a question on why design hasn’t already begun. “We want to make sure we get the steps in the right order.”
Building the new bridge with toll revenue has been a popular idea, and one supported by BridgeLink. “We’re pushing for a tolled new interstate to help this move forward,” said Christy Gillenwater, BridgeLink’s moderator of the panel.
But Paul Looney, Kentucky’s assistant state highway engineer with primary responsibility for the I-69 project, said that idea needs careful consideration.
“Tolling could be a primary financing mechanism,” said Looney, who conceded he is “relatively new to the I-69 project.
“But one of the things (the planning study indicated) was that the toll revenue may be inadequate if the existing bridges are left in place, given the diversion of traffic that may occur.”
Henderson and Evansville are “two cities-one community to a large degree,” in that many people cross the river on a regular basis to work, play and shop. “The local connection in having it be toll-free is obviously … a critical element for the day-to-day connectivity of the area.”
But leaving the Twin Bridges toll-free while charging tolls on a new I-69 bridge could pose a “challenge,” he said, in that the toll revenues may not be sufficient to pay off the bonds.
Ban trucks on the old bridges and restripe them to one lane. That'll force much of the through traffic onto the I-69 bridge.
Just throw a few traffic lights up on 41 near Ellis Park for no particular reason. Everywhere else makes it inconvenient to shunpike; they just need to learn the tricks.Hahahaha so pull a kokomo?
Just throw a few traffic lights up on 41 near Ellis Park for no particular reason. Everywhere else makes it inconvenient to shunpike; they just need to learn the tricks.
I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.
I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.
Both bridges got an extensive rehab about six years ago. They shouldn't need anything major for a long, long time.
I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.
Both bridges got an extensive rehab about six years ago. They shouldn't need anything major for a long, long time.
I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.
Both bridges got an extensive rehab about six years ago. They shouldn't need anything major for a long, long time.
Which is why they should be used for I-69.
I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.
Both bridges got an extensive rehab about six years ago. They shouldn't need anything major for a long, long time.
Which is why they should be used for I-69.
They aren't up to interstate standards for lane widths and shoulders, particularly the older bridge.
^If the current I-164/US 41 interchange was good enough, I'm sure the Pennyrile/Western Kentucky cloverleaf would not be getting a direct ramp for the EB to NB movement.It doesn't need to get a direct ramp. But FHWA.
Those were either grandfathered in when the interstate system was started or were built to older standards. New interstates (even using existing pavement) do not get grandfathered in. I think a road needs to be upgraded for a new interstate even if it already has an interstate designation (see: I-81 in Binghamton).I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.
Both bridges got an extensive rehab about six years ago. They shouldn't need anything major for a long, long time.
Which is why they should be used for I-69.
They aren't up to interstate standards for lane widths and shoulders, particularly the older bridge.
I know, but there are many other sections of interstates that aren't interstate quality. Are there 2 lanes each direction across the 2 bridges? Yes. Semis and cars travel them safely every day. They're there and ready to be used. The 41 / 164 interchange is also good as far as 69 is concerned.
^If the current I-164/US 41 interchange was good enough, I'm sure the Pennyrile/Western Kentucky cloverleaf would not be getting a direct ramp for the EB to NB movement.It doesn't need to get a direct ramp. But FHWA.
Those were either grandfathered in when the interstate system was started or were built to older standards. New interstates (even using existing pavement) do not get grandfathered in. I think a road needs to be upgraded for a new interstate even if it already has an interstate designation (see: I-81 in Binghamton).I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.
Both bridges got an extensive rehab about six years ago. They shouldn't need anything major for a long, long time.
Which is why they should be used for I-69.
They aren't up to interstate standards for lane widths and shoulders, particularly the older bridge.
I know, but there are many other sections of interstates that aren't interstate quality. Are there 2 lanes each direction across the 2 bridges? Yes. Semis and cars travel them safely every day. They're there and ready to be used. The 41 / 164 interchange is also good as far as 69 is concerned.
PS: I-69 was built with a cloverleaf loop at I-55 in Mississippi. There's no reason the one in Kentucky can't stay.
QuotePS: I-69 was built with a cloverleaf loop at I-55 in Mississippi. There's no reason the one in Kentucky can't stay.
PPS: that was designed and construction began before I-69 was approved.
QuotePS: I-69 was built with a cloverleaf loop at I-55 in Mississippi. There's no reason the one in Kentucky can't stay.
PPS: that was designed and construction began before I-69 was approved.
PPPS: so was the cloverleaf in Kentucky.
KYTC has posted the 2014 Recommended Highway Plan (http://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Pages/2014-Highway-Plan.aspx). The Project Listing (http://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Highway%20Plan/2014RecommendedProjectListing.pdf) section includes preliminary engineering and environmental in 2018 for a possible US 41 bridge replacement as an intermediate solution for an I-69 bridge (page 55/139 of pdf)
(http://i.imgur.com/BnoPeJA.png)
Kyndle is a new organization born of the merger of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Kentucky Forward regional economic development organization:(bottom quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg281743#msg281743) thread)
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2013/dec/20/merger-of-chamber-nwkf-into-kyndle-now-official/
Kyndle applauds the states of Kentucky and Indiana for continuing to work diligently toward the completion of Interstate 69 in our region.
We urge the General Assembly to protect funds allocated for I-69 construction in our state and to continue to add the funding necessary to achieve its creation. We applaud the amount of support I-69 has in the road plan, including $2.5 million for an environmental impact study (EIS) for an I-69 Ohio River crossing. Kyndle asks legislators to work to move the availability of that EIS money from 2018 to 2016. We also ask legislators to work with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to assure a long-term, toll-free route across the Ohio for local residents that would be both a compliment [sic] to the new I-69 bridge and provide the redundancy this region needs to assure that accidents such as barge collisions into the bridge or natural disasters won't result in a shutdown of traffic between Evansville and Henderson.
Kyndle urges the General Assembly to create a revenue model for the state road fund that would produce more consistent funding for infrastructure projects and make it easier for KYTC to plan for the state's future transportation needs.
Kyndle strongly encourages Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration to designate Interstate 69 as a Project of National and Regional Significance and include it in the new National Freight Network list.
Kyndle supports legislation enabling Kentucky to fully utilize public-private partnerships (P3) to complete infrastructure projects of all types and find more cost-efficient, effective ways to perform government functions.
Add this to the "waste of money in your state" category.
It makes no sense to me whatsoever to spend that much money on design for replacement of a bridge that, while old, got a lot of work just five or so years ago and will see the amount of traffic on it decrease when a new I-69 bridge is built.
Add this to the "waste of money in your state" category.
It makes no sense to me whatsoever to spend that much money on design for replacement of a bridge that, while old, got a lot of work just five or so years ago and will see the amount of traffic on it decrease when a new I-69 bridge is built.
I don't remember what your stance is on bypassing the commercial strip north of Henderson, but do you think frontage roads and tight interchanges would work through there? I suppose you could go through the state park.
I agree with you. The US 41 bridges are fine for I-69. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they end up using the 41 bridges for 69.
I don't remember what your stance is on bypassing the commercial strip north of Henderson, but do you think frontage roads and tight interchanges would work through there? I suppose you could go through the state park.
No, I don't think they'd work. ROW purchase and relocation costs would be astronomical.I agree with you. The US 41 bridges are fine for I-69. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they end up using the 41 bridges for 69.
That's not what I'm saying. The southbound bridge, especially, is woefully inadequate for an interstate bridge. What I'm saying is it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend a lot of money at this time on a potential replacement for the southbound bridge when the I-69 bridge(s), when built, will take a lot of traffic off of the US 41 corridor and probably give the existing bridge a new lease on life. Given the difficulty in converting the US 41 Henderson strip to an interstate (see above), a new-terrain I-69 route with a new bridge is the best option.
Something else to consider, that loop ramp from WB 69 to SB 41. No way that will be allowed to continue if they went that route, that interchange, or part of it would have to be rebuilt similar to what's being done at the Pennyrile-Western Kentucky interchange.I-55/I-69 in Mississippi...
I don't remember what your stance is on bypassing the commercial strip north of Henderson, but do you think frontage roads and tight interchanges would work through there? I suppose you could go through the state park.
No, I don't think they'd work. ROW purchase and relocation costs would be astronomical.I agree with you. The US 41 bridges are fine for I-69. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they end up using the 41 bridges for 69.
That's not what I'm saying. The southbound bridge, especially, is woefully inadequate for an interstate bridge. What I'm saying is it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend a lot of money at this time on a potential replacement for the southbound bridge when the I-69 bridge(s), when built, will take a lot of traffic off of the US 41 corridor and probably give the existing bridge a new lease on life. Given the difficulty in converting the US 41 Henderson strip to an interstate (see above), a new-terrain I-69 route with a new bridge is the best option.
Something else to consider, that loop ramp from WB 69 to SB 41. No way that will be allowed to continue if they went that route, that interchange, or part of it would have to be rebuilt similar to what's being done at the Pennyrile-Western Kentucky interchange.I-55/I-69 in Mississippi...
Also...wasn't the original concept of the I-55/I-69/I-269 interchange based on I-69 going around the outer limits of Memphis via what is now I-269/TN 385??Something else to consider, that loop ramp from WB 69 to SB 41. No way that will be allowed to continue if they went that route, that interchange, or part of it would have to be rebuilt similar to what's being done at the Pennyrile-Western Kentucky interchange.I-55/I-69 in Mississippi...
In this Comment (http://www.courierpress.com/gleaner/opinion/comment-kyndle-lays-out-legislative-priorities_73384752) ... :QuoteKyndle strongly encourages Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration to designate Interstate 69 as a Project of National and Regional Significance and include it in the new National Freight Network list.
Kyndle supports legislation enabling Kentucky to fully utilize public-private partnerships (P3) to complete infrastructure projects of all types and find more cost-efficient, effective ways to perform government functions.
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke ....
The new bridge is “the biggie” at this point, he said, but progress is being made at the federal level as well as in Indiana and Kentucky. The federal government is looking at designating the bridge as a project of national or regional importance, which would open new funding opportunities.
Indiana is studying whether tolls could help fund it, and Kentucky may pass legislation allowing public-private partnerships, which Winnecke called “a key financing tool that can be used for Kentucky to help make the project happen.”
In this article (http://www.courierpress.com/gleaner/news/bus-service-between-henderson-evansville-being-discussed_62590212), Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke ... :QuoteEvansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke ....
The new bridge is “the biggie” at this point, he said ... Indiana is studying whether tolls could help fund it ...”
One strategic investment by the state is Interstate 69. Yes, the trip to Bloomington is much better, and the trip to Indianapolis will get even better in the years to come.
I'd like to recognize my colleague from Henderson, Kentucky, Mayor Steve Austin.
Together with the Bridge Link coalition, our advocacy for the future Interstate 69 bridges is steadfast and gaining traction in Indianapolis and Frankfort. The Indiana Department of Transportation is currently working on a statewide transportation funding outline. In that report, INDOT is conducting a tolling study for the Interstate 69 bridge project and should be completed later this summer.
I really don't think tolls would fund the I-69 Ohio River Bridge, at least in the foreseeable future. There won't be enough of a traffic increase at the onset, so most locals will just continue to use the US 41 bridge instead.
In this article (http://www.courierpress.com/gleaner/news/bus-service-between-henderson-evansville-being-discussed_62590212), Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke is quoted as asserting that ... Kentucky may pass legislation allowing public-private partnerships:QuoteEvansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke ....
Kentucky may pass legislation allowing public-private partnerships, which Winnecke called “a key financing tool that can be used for Kentucky to help make the project happen.”
There is a contingent from northern Kentucky who are dead-set against P3 in Kentucky because they are dead-set against tolls for the Brent Spence Bridge. The governor vetoed a P3 bill last year because it contained a provision against tolls. He's stated that if he doesn't get a clean P3 bill this year, he'll veto it too.
In a debate overshadowed by an ambitious bridge proposal on the state's northern tier, the Kentucky House passed legislation Wednesday evening that would authorize use of public-private partnerships for mega-dollar transportation work and other projects ....
The Democratic-run House passed the measure on an 84-13 vote after considering a series of amendments. The bill now goes to the Republican-led Senate ....
In a key vote, the House defeated an amendment by Rep. Arnold Simpson that would have banned the use of tolls to fund a new Brent Spence Bridge.
Similar anti-tolling language was attached to last year's public-private partnerships bill, prompting a veto by Gov. Steve Beshear, who is a strong advocate for the partnerships ....
Rep. Tommy Thompson said western Kentucky stands to benefit from the partnerships. He said state and federal governments can't muster the financing for mega-projects such as a possible new Ohio River bridge as part of the Interstate 69 project in western Kentucky.
"The only way that's going to probably become a reality, for we need that in our part of the state, is with a public-private partnership," the Owensboro Democrat said.
it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend a lot of money at this time on a potential replacement for the southbound bridge when the I-69 bridge(s), when built, will take a lot of traffic off of the US 41 corridor and probably give the existing bridge a new lease on life. Given the difficulty in converting the US 41 Henderson strip to an interstate ... a new-terrain I-69 route with a new bridge is the best option.
This article (http://www.enquirerherald.com/2015/02/26/3392387/kentucky-house-passes-public-private.html) reports that a bill authorizing the use of P3s in Kentucky easily passed the Kentucky House and that an amendment banning the use of tolls on the Brent Spence was defeated ....
On to the Kentucky Senate ......................
In the GOP-controlled Senate, one prominent Republican leader, state Sen. Damon Thayer, opposes tolls and so do members of the Northern Kentucky delegation. But that isn’t what sunk the legislation there in 2015. In 2015, the legislation was filed late to try to buy time and build support. This year, it did not have a provision for local projects because Beshear’s office and the groups representing Kentucky cities and counties could not agree to language. That became a problem when the short, 30-day 2015 legislative session was made shorter by bad weather ....
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce CEO Trey Grayson, a former Kentucky secretary of state and experienced Frankfort hand ....
In the case of the P3 bill, Kentucky’s cities and counties didn’t actively try to snuff it out, Grayson said, but it ended up being left behind because lawmakers outside of Northern Kentucky didn’t care enough about getting it done.
“You just kind of ran out of time,” Grayson said. “The only people who cared a lot about it at the end were the three Northern Kentuckians who were opposed. As a result, it was easy to set aside. If you’d had one more week, it probably would have passed.”
In 2016, the game will have changed. Kentucky elects a new governor in November.
“The wild card will be what is the new governor’s position on the Brent Spence Bridge as a piece of this,” Grayson said.
Sen. Dorsey Ridley .... said ....
"If they will at least come across the aisle and have a conversation with us we could do that. We could have passed the P3 (public-private partnership) legislation, in my estimation, and allow us to move forward in building the bridge we need on I-69."
Kyndle CEO and President Brad Schneider agreed, but said "in Kentucky, sometimes our differences are regional more than they are by party.
"Next session, let the folks in Northern Kentucky know — while they figure out what they want to do — we'd love to move forward here," Schneider said. To fund bridges and other infrastructure in Western Kentucky, he said, "P3 would be a great tool in the toolbox." ....
Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro ....
expressed disappointment in the failure of the P3 legislation. "The main thing is for us to get that (Interstate 69) bridge. P3 is one of the best things for that opportunity."
This TV video (http://www.tristatehomepage.com/story/d/story/new-i-69-bridge-could-be-cheaper-than-first-projec/12452/uxo-FAbnKkW6rbmNxcA57Q) reports that Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin still hope to have the bridge built by 2020, and Winnecke says a new study supports a reduced cost estimate of $800 million to build the bridge:QuoteEvansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says the I-69 bridge could be a lot cheaper than first projected.
Mayor Winnecke says a new study shows the bridge could cost about $800 million. That's $600 million less than first thought.
Winnecke says this new estimate is partly based on the savings seen in St. Louis with the I-70 bridge.
"The 2008 estimate of $1.4 billion we believe is high," said Mayor Winnecke. "Now with what we've witnessed in St. Louis we really believe it's high, and so we have folks working to narrow to a more refined scope."
Mayor Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin hope to have the bridge built by the year 2020. Both expect it to be a toll bridge. However, a price to cross the bridge hasn't been revealed.
Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock ....
As the effort to get I-69 to Henderson nears its completion, the next and greater challenge will be to construct an I-69 bridge from Henderson to Evansville.
“We estimate Kentucky’s share will be $1 billion,” Hancock said. Tolls will almost certainly be required, even if they don’t cover the full cost of financing the span.
While uncertainties remain, he said, efforts continue, “so we are not allowed to forget about crossing I-69 between Henderson and Evansville.”
Shortened route?
Shortened route?
I believe the "shortened route" moves the new route closer to US 41 and makes more use of the Pennyrile, rather than branching off to the east well to the south of KY 425 as originally planned. I believe the map in this post (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3245.msg2050548#msg2050548) reflects the shortened route.
Here is a snip of the group's Access & Mobility map (p.77/124 of pdf; p. 70 of document):
(http://i.imgur.com/tIj5dZi.jpg)
This TV video (http://www.tristatehomepage.com/story/d/story/new-i-69-bridge-could-be-cheaper-than-first-projec/12452/uxo-FAbnKkW6rbmNxcA57Q) reports that Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin still hope to have the bridge built by 2020 ...QuoteEvansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says the I-69 bridge could be a lot cheaper than first projected.
Mayor Winnecke says a new study shows the bridge could cost about $800 million. That's $600 million less than first thought ...
Mayor Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin hope to have the bridge built by the year 2020. Both expect it to be a toll bridge. However, a price to cross the bridge hasn't been revealed.
In his State of the City address on Thursday afternoon, Henderson Mayor Steve Austin told the Rotary Club and others in attendance that the city has momentum. That momentum, Mayor Austin said, will take the city into the future ....
Mayor Austin said his number one priority still is the completion of I-69 and the construction of a new Ohio River bridge.
"We are working with our congressional folks and Washington folks. We are working with our state folks," Mayor Austin said. "We are working our highway departments. It's constantly on our mind and we're going to get it accomplished."
Does anyone know when this bridge might be constructed? It seems like not for quite a while.Not anytime soon, I don't even think it's been designed yet.
March 2015 Henderson Vision Comprehensive Plan (https://visionhenderson.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/henderson-vision-plan_final-march-2015.pdf) ....
Next, they focus in on the US 41 corridor (p. 113/124 of pdf; p. 106 of document):
(http://i.imgur.com/6xwWE7i.jpg)
So, the Big Picture for the US 41 Strip is to transform into a Complete Street ....
... a host of proposals generated by an engineering consultant for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to keep traffic moving and reduce wrecks and injuries on the busy highway.
The study was ordered after state Sen. Dorsey Ridley, of Henderson, asked the cabinet to look into making improvements on U.S. 41-North, said Kevin McClearn, the agency's District 2 chief district engineer, at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
The cabinet hired the Stantec engineering firm and directed it to perform a traffic study and develop options, "from low cost to high cost," for improving the highway, he said.
Stantec so far has identified projects ranging from less than $1 million to a collection of projects totaling $16.4 million.
The construction of a bridge for Interstate 69 across the Ohio River from Henderson to Evansville would remove much of the traffic from U.S. 41-North.
"Of course, one thing we are unsure of as to I-69 is when it's going to happen and where's it's going to go," McClearn said. ....
There's a possibility that a new bridge would replace the aging Twin Bridges, which are 50 and 83 years old, respectively.
"Obviously it will have a large impact on the strip," he said. " ... Do we want to spend several million dollars when a few years down the road I-69 comes through and removes the through traffic?"
On the other hand, relief is needed before then. U.S. 41-North carries an average of 40,400 vehicles a day between Marywood Drive and Watson Lane and about 38,000 across the Twin Bridges, according to McClearn.
That is only going to increase. He said Stantec projects that will go up about 1 percent each year, reaching almost 47,000 vehicles daily by 2030.
"Is there something we can do for a moderate amount (of money) for the next 10 or 15 years while we're getting (the) I-69 (bridge) built?" he said ....
Between 2012 and 2014, 433 crashes were reported along U.S. 41-North, with 86 injuries suffered. Two out of every five were rear-end collisions.
Among the proposals under consideration to address that:
Constructing a north-south "backage" road behind businesses on the east wide of U.S. 41-North so, for example, a motorist could travel from Henderson Chevrolet to Old Orchard Shopping Center without getting on the highway. Its cost is estimated at $3.3 million.
Raising the median along U.S. 41-North to eliminate left turns except at traffic signals.
Realigning the Audubon Village shopping center traffic signal to line up with Barker Road.
Meanwhile, an early proposal to add an extra driving lane in each direction was deemed unworkable because of lane widths, left-turn issues and the high cost of acquiring right of way along the highway.
Much of the discussion centered around Interstate 69 and specifically the prospective bridge from Evansville to Henderson that would provide a link to the Southern U.S. The theme was making Evansville more accessible and placing it along a major freight route.
State officials are in the process of determining where they will come up with the $850 million to build the bridge. But Dennis Faulkenberg, president and chief executive officer of APPIAN, said it’s imperative that people consider the significant benefits the bridge would provide.
“This is not to be a cul-de-sac in Evansville, and that’s what (I-69) is going to be without that bridge,” he said. “Surely we didn’t spend a billion dollars to get here for a cul-de-sac. This is to go on to greater things and to bring people to us. This is not just for us to get south; it’s to get people from the South coming to Evansville and doing business in Southwest Indiana.”
The next hurdle would be figuring out how to fund the Evansville-to-Henderson bridge. Tolls are a likely option and one that Faulkenberg said polls suggested the public would support if necessary.
Faulkenberg, who also works with the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation and BridgeLink, said he and other transportation experts met with Indiana and Kentucky legislators, namely Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, as well as Kentucky gubernatorial candidates Jack Conway and Matt Bevin, about the importance of the bridge. All have given supportive statements, he said.
Congressman Larry Bucshon, who helped start a bipartisan I-69 caucus in Congress earlier this year, spoke at a session at Monday’s event. He said a bridge connecting Evansville and Henderson via I-69 would “an enormous win for our regional and national economies.”
“The bridge would undoubtedly enhance the regional mobility of our products and people and improve the safety of the traveling public,” he said. “I plan to continue working with my colleagues in the Congressional I-69 Caucus, like Congressman Ed Whitfield, as well as regional leaders like the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Bridgelink and Mayor Lloyd Winnecke to complete this important component of our nation’s multi-modal freight transportation.”
Evansville folk continue to push for the bridge to get builtThey may get their wish, next year Indiana government claims it will be "infrastructure year" I'll believe it when I see it. 69 isn't really a culdesac per se, us 41 is good enough until it 69 is built.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/i69/i69-bridge-could-help-perception-issue-for-evansville_72709575QuoteMuch of the discussion centered around Interstate 69 and specifically the prospective bridge from Evansville to Henderson that would provide a link to the Southern U.S. The theme was making Evansville more accessible and placing it along a major freight route.
State officials are in the process of determining where they will come up with the $850 million to build the bridge. But Dennis Faulkenberg, president and chief executive officer of APPIAN, said it’s imperative that people consider the significant benefits the bridge would provide.
“This is not to be a cul-de-sac in Evansville, and that’s what (I-69) is going to be without that bridge,” he said. “Surely we didn’t spend a billion dollars to get here for a cul-de-sac. This is to go on to greater things and to bring people to us. This is not just for us to get south; it’s to get people from the South coming to Evansville and doing business in Southwest Indiana.”QuoteThe next hurdle would be figuring out how to fund the Evansville-to-Henderson bridge. Tolls are a likely option and one that Faulkenberg said polls suggested the public would support if necessary.
Faulkenberg, who also works with the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation and BridgeLink, said he and other transportation experts met with Indiana and Kentucky legislators, namely Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, as well as Kentucky gubernatorial candidates Jack Conway and Matt Bevin, about the importance of the bridge. All have given supportive statements, he said.
Congressman Larry Bucshon, who helped start a bipartisan I-69 caucus in Congress earlier this year, spoke at a session at Monday’s event. He said a bridge connecting Evansville and Henderson via I-69 would “an enormous win for our regional and national economies.”
“The bridge would undoubtedly enhance the regional mobility of our products and people and improve the safety of the traveling public,” he said. “I plan to continue working with my colleagues in the Congressional I-69 Caucus, like Congressman Ed Whitfield, as well as regional leaders like the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Bridgelink and Mayor Lloyd Winnecke to complete this important component of our nation’s multi-modal freight transportation.”
Community leaders and participants in Henderson have posted a March 2015 Henderson Vision Comprehensive Plan (https://visionhenderson.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/henderson-vision-plan_final-march-2015.pdf), in which they provide a blueprint for how Henderson should evolve in the future ....
Here is a snip of the group's Access & Mobility map (p.77/124 of pdf; p. 70 of document):
(http://i.imgur.com/tIj5dZi.jpg)
The Henderson City-County Planning Commission is going to do a little crystal-gazing Sept. 14, and would like the public’s assistance in laying the foundation for future land-use decisions.
The event, which will begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 14 in the top-floor meeting room of the Henderson Municipal Center, is a combination workshop and open house about the proposed city-county Comprehensive Plan’s map, which the Planning Commission is in the process of updating ....
“It’s important, and the public should have lots of input,” said city-county Planner Brian Bishop, noting the Comprehensive Plan will dovetail into the Vision Plan adopted earlier by the city of Henderson.
“The Vision Plan sets the destination. I like to think the Comprehensive Plan is the road map to help get us there.”
TSW Design Group of Louisville drafted the Vision Plan, with considerable public input, and is also drafting the rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan, so it will have representatives at the Sept. 14 workshop.
Most of the questions at the Sept. 14 workshop will probably be about specific parcels of property and the route of Interstate 69, Bishop said. But since the I-69 route has not yet been finalized, there’s not much definitive information that can be relayed.
In fact, a separate chapter of the Comprehensive Plan has been reserved for use in 2016 once the actual I-69 route is known.
I really don't think tolls would fund the I-69 Ohio River Bridge, at least in the foreseeable future. There won't be enough of a traffic increase at the onset, so most locals will just continue to use the US 41 bridge instead.This may be the real irony here—northbound traffic going into most of Evansville would be going out of their way to stay on an easterly-alignment 69. Traffic would end up somewhat lighter on 41, so it might be a more attractive route. This is where missing ramp movements to coerce toll payment (a la Garden State Parkway, Mass Pike Extension) come in handy, but that'd be shitty.
A meeting was held in downtown Evansville on Tuesday to discuss the future of the new I-69 bridge over the Ohio River.
A big point of discussion was keeping the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges open for people who live in the area.
The new bridge would connect the I-69 portions of Indiana and Kentucky ....
INDOT is performing a study to see if tolls on the bridge would support the cost.
"The key about the Twin Bridges is…it gives us a free, local route for people in Evansville and Henderson,” said Brad Schneider with KYNDLE.
“It will be through traffic, commercial traffic - those folks will be paying the bulk of the tolls. I guess local people could use the new bridge for convenience but maintaining a free local route is key to our plans.”
The path of the new I-69 bridge would start near Weinbach Avenue in Evansville and loop around Audubon State Park in Henderson.
... if we’re going to do something about preservation, maintenance and building the new, needed infrastructure, like the bridge over the Ohio River to complete I-69 … we’re going to have to do something about a severe INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) funding shortfall and it’s going to take some tough decisions,” said Dennis Faulkenberg, president and chief executive officer of APPIAN ....
The key question for the region discussed by the panel at the Rotary lunch was: How to fund the $850 million connection between Kentucky and Indiana?
Tolls, gas and diesel taxes and other fees could help fund that, Faulkenberg said.
He pointed out that diesel taxes in Indiana haven’t increased since 1989, and inflation over the last 25 years has diminished the power of the dollars collected.
While bridging gaps in state funding is crucial, Laurie Maudline, also with APPIAN, said federal funding is “absolutely critical.”
Federal gas and diesel taxes haven’t been increased since 1993, Maudline said.
Interesting, so the northern end is no longer at Green River but at Weinbach. Shorter route, makes more sense, but now it's right there at the 41 bridges, making them that much more attractive.
I suppose they could eliminate the exit from the stub end of 164 (whatever it will be called) southbound to 41 South to discourage through traffic that way, but that would really complicate a lot of folks' route into Henderson.
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/gleaner/workshop-will-help-guild-henderson-land-use_25731976) reports that, with the Vision Plan in place, Henderson is now working on the Comprehensive Plan, which can be viewed as the "road map" for implementing the Vision Plan:QuoteThe Henderson City-County Planning Commission is going to do a little crystal-gazing Sept. 14, and would like the public’s assistance in laying the foundation for future land-use decisions..... The article also suggests that I-69's route around Henderson should be finalized in 2016
This TV video (http://www.14news.com/story/29983408/leaders-discuss-future-of-i-69-bridge)
Interesting, so the northern end is no longer at Green River but at Weinbach. Shorter route, makes more sense, but now it's right there at the 41 bridges, making them that much more attractive.
The Henderson City-County Planning Commission’s future land use map shows large areas of the western part of the county being used for parks and recreation. But what it doesn’t yet show is where Interstate 69 is going to cross the Ohio River.
Monday’s workshop by the Planning Commission largely focused on Interstate 69, but the upshot was to discuss it further at the Oct. 6 meeting ....
“Nothing we do here actually changes the zoning,” said Amy Williams, the consultant helping draft an updated Comprehensive Plan, of which the map is a part. But she noted the future land use map will come into play if a rezoning is requested.
“If you ask for a rezoning, that’s what it ought to be rezoned to.”
She quickly moved on to I-69. “The chapter on I-69 won’t be done until 2016,” she said. “We’re waiting on the assigned route,” said city-county Planner Brian Bishop.
“It won’t be next year because the updated environmental impact statement won’t even be started,” said Brad Schneider, president and CEO of Kyndle. “It might take two or three years to determine this route.”
The route earlier suggested by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet would split off the Pennyrile Parkway, cross Kentucky 351 between Graham Hill and Zion, cross U.S. 60 between Pleasantview and Broadview subdivisions, and cross the Ohio River downstream of the Green River.
An organization called BridgeLink has come up with a much cheaper alternative. “It goes around the east side of town, but it cuts a much closer path to town and intersects with the existing roadway much sooner,” said Schneider.
The question the Planning Commission wrestled with was which route to place on the future land use map.
“I’m just leery of the Planning Commission making decisions on rezonings … based on an estimated route,” Bishop said.
“I wouldn’t base your land uses on that right now,” Williams said.
Here is a snip of the map of BridgeLink's suggested alternative from the article:
(http://i.imgur.com/1YMqwHf.jpg)
This article (http://www.courierpress.com/gleaner/news/gl_comp-plan_34933682) reports that that the final route will not be known for at least two to three years because the updated Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") process has not started:Quote“We’re waiting on the assigned route,” said city-county Planner Brian Bishop.
“It won’t be next year because the updated environmental impact statement won’t even be started,” said Brad Schneider, president and CEO of Kyndle. “It might take two or three years to determine this route.” ....
An organization called BridgeLink has come up with a much cheaper alternative. “It goes around the east side of town, but it cuts a much closer path to town and intersects with the existing roadway much sooner,” said Schneider.
Which is why they should be used for I-69.I would not be surprised if the older of the two US 41 spans would be closed to vehicular traffic after the I-69 bridge opens. Since that span is already over 80 years old, I am not sure how many more years of useful life it will have left without prohibitive maintenance costs.Both bridges got an extensive rehab about six years ago. They shouldn't need anything major for a long, long time.
This TV video (http://www.14news.com/story/29983408/leaders-discuss-future-of-i-69-bridge) reports on a Sept. 8 meeting in Evansville about the future of the I-69 Ohio River bridge, during which it appears that the participants want to keep the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges as a free option for local traffic and have the burden of possible tolls for the I-69 bridge fall primarily on truck through traffic
a January, 2014 I-69 SIU 4 in Henderson County Feasibility Study (http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/I-69%20SIU%204_FEASIBILITY%20STUDY_FINAL.pdf) that KYTC prepared .... BridgeLink's favored alternative is known as Alternative 1a .
In this Feasibility Study, seven alternatives and some variations were examined at the concept level. All but one of these alternatives (1a) would close the existing US 41 twin bridges over the Ohio River northeast of Henderson and construct a new bridge.
The following goals were identified for the project Feasibility Study:
* Provide for a single river crossing for US 41 and I-69.
* Shorten the project from its original concept so that as much of the existing Breathitt Parkway and US 41 are used for the future I-69 as possible.
* Provide access from I-69 to the businesses along US 41.
This was great news to hear. Kentucky Governor Bevin both confirmed his commitment to I-69 and specifically announced during his first State of the Commonwealth speech his intention to dedicate millions of dollars towards accelerating Kentucky's portion of the new I-69 bridge and roadway over the Ohio River.(above quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg2123036#msg2123036) thread)
http://www.thegleaner.com/news/bevin-road-plan-includes-millions-in-new-money-for-i-69-bridge-project-2a53b7b1-f655-3c52-e053-01000-366760241.htmlQuoteOn Wednesday, the state released hard copies of the proposed road plan. As BridgeLink requested, the money for the environmental study was moved forward to 2017.This is great news! Now if Indiana can step up its share of the project, we may see I-69 between Indiana and Kentucky a reality much sooner.
The plan calls for $2.82 million to be allocated in 2017 for the environmental study but then goes on to call for $41 million for the project, spread out over three years, starting in 2019, to "develop alignment for Interstate 69 Henderson/Evansville Ohio River crossing."
The project would receive $6 million in 2019, $20 million in 2020 and $15 million in 2021 for preconstruction work.
"That's all new money (for the project),"
This TV video (http://www.tristatehomepage.com/story/d/story/new-i-69-bridge-could-be-cheaper-than-first-projec/12452/uxo-FAbnKkW6rbmNxcA57Q) reports that Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin still hope to have the bridge built by 2020, and Winnecke says a new study supports a reduced cost estimate of $800 million to build the bridge:QuoteEvansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says the I-69 bridge could be a lot cheaper than first projected.
Mayor Winnecke says a new study shows the bridge could cost about $800 million. That's $600 million less than first thought.
Winnecke says this new estimate is partly based on the savings seen in St. Louis with the I-70 bridge.
"The 2008 estimate of $1.4 billion we believe is high," said Mayor Winnecke. "Now with what we've witnessed in St. Louis we really believe it's high, and so we have folks working to narrow to a more refined scope."
Mayor Winnecke and Henderson Mayor Steve Austin hope to have the bridge built by the year 2020. Both expect it to be a toll bridge. However, a price to cross the bridge hasn't been revealed.
Henderson Mayor Steve Austin ....
said the money in the road plan was exciting news.
"Nothing can happen can happen until the environmental impact study is complete, so getting that will really put things on fast track," he said. "I think tolls will pay for about 50 percent (of the bridge's cost) so we'll need help from the state and federal governments, but getting that environmental study moved up is certainly important."
the Executive Summary of the 2004 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for I-69 between Evansville and Henderson (http://www.edrgroup.com/pdf/executive%20summary.pdf). Here is a map of the Alternatives that were considered (page 13/23 of pdf; page S-13 of document):
(http://i.imgur.com/h8WNT.jpg)
Alternative 2 was identified as the Preferred Alternative (page 23/23 of pdf; page S-23 of document)
Steven Ross, Transportation Engineering Branch Manager at KYTC, just posted the entire Ohio River Bridge DEIS. Links to sections of the DEIS can found in the "Henderson to Evansville - Proposed Interstate 69" section at the bottom of this page:
http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/I-69.aspx
a January, 2014 I-69 SIU 4 in Henderson County Feasibility Study (http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/I-69%20SIU%204_FEASIBILITY%20STUDY_FINAL.pdf) that KYTC prepared ... BridgeLink's favored alternative is known as Alternative 1a and here is a snip from another map of it (p. 51/82 of pdf; p. 32 of document):
(http://i.imgur.com/DHwY38N.jpg)
This was great news to hear. Kentucky Governor Bevin both confirmed his commitment to I-69 and specifically announced during his first State of the Commonwealth speech his intention to dedicate millions of dollars towards accelerating Kentucky's portion of the new I-69 bridge and roadway over the Ohio River.(above quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg2123036#msg2123036) thread)
http://www.thegleaner.com/news/bevin-road-plan-includes-millions-in-new-money-for-i-69-bridge-project-2a53b7b1-f655-3c52-e053-01000-366760241.htmlQuoteOn Wednesday, the state released hard copies of the proposed road plan. As BridgeLink requested, the money for the environmental study was moved forward to 2017.
Kyndle CEO Brad Schneider tuned into Gov. Matt Bevin's State of the Commonwealth address Tuesday because he heard the governor might mention I-69 ....
The governor bumped up the environmental impact study on the bridge from 2018 to 2017. He also added $300,000 to the project and added $41 million for pre-construction work in years 2019-21.
Schneider thinks this signals that Bevin is going to update the environmental impact study on the old route, examine the new route and do a total revenue study that will jibe with the one done in Indiana last fall.
"That is great progress," he said. "That is a commitment and I don't think they are going to back off." ....
Schneider said he's frequently asked about where the new bridge will be built. There is not a firm answer, but Kentucky is considering two primary corridors.
A route identified in 2004 swings well east of Henderson, crosses U.S. 60, Kentucky 351 and the Audubon Parkway before hooking up at the Pennyrile Parkway just south of the Kentucky 425 bypass.
A second route was identified a few years ago and was backed by BridgeLink — a nonprofit advocacy group that is pushing for the bridge to be built by 2020. It's a less expensive option and requires less new roadway, Schneider said.
This route heads east of existing twin bridges and Ellis Park, crosses east of Audubon Park, cuts around the Braxton Park subdivision, crosses U.S. 60, then heads along the railroad line right to the U.S. 41 bypass.
"It's basically hitting right in between the Cloverleaf and the Zion Road exit," he said.
There's no way they'll use the existing bridges. They're too old and need too much work ... and you don't add any capacity that's really needed.
I don't think they were ever going to use the old bridges, they need to be replaced themselves.
I don't think they were ever going to use the old bridges, they need to be replaced themselves.
The current ROW through Henderson would have to be rendered limited-access. This ROW is lined with businesses. I don't know if you've been to downtown Henderson, but it's not exactly a boomtown, and the 41 strip represents a big part of the city's retail sector (and tax base). It would have potentially severe long-term negative impacts to Henderson to obliterate that, essentially asking the people of Henderson to pay a tremendously higher cost than anyone else for the new bridge.
I don't think they were ever going to use the old bridges, they need to be replaced themselves.
The current ROW through Henderson would have to be rendered limited-access. This ROW is lined with businesses. I don't know if you've been to downtown Henderson, but it's not exactly a boomtown, and the 41 strip represents a big part of the city's retail sector (and tax base). It would have potentially severe long-term negative impacts to Henderson to obliterate that, essentially asking the people of Henderson to pay a tremendously higher cost than anyone else for the new bridge.
I'm not advocating that, I'm just saying that the current 41 bridges need to be replaced, and 69 should bypass the city to the east, the 2 western bypass ideas are crazy (from Indiana's prospective)
(above quote from I-69 in KY (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3518.msg264276;topicseen#msg264276) thread)I thought it was going to be called i-369, I think I even saw it signed on google maps tooThe I-69 Spur page (http://gotransportation.net/highway_plans_&_projects/i-69_spur.php) on the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce website projects a preference for I-169:A little update on the potential I-369 spur route (Audubon Parkway to Owensboro)No number for this road has been assigned. 169 makes more sense than 369
http://surfky.com/index.php/communities/77-owensboro-news/34218-owensboro-city-commission-hears-from-transportation-cabinet
(http://i.imgur.com/QY1vW1U.png)
Just noticed today that the Route Log and Finder list was updated on January 27, 2016. There is a new URL as well at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/index.cfm(above quote from Updated FHWA Interstate Route Log As Of Dec. 31, 2015 (http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17389.msg2124087#msg2124087) thread)
I'm curious what kind of interchange will be built in Evansville. Even if existing 41 were used, a full reconstruction of the current 41/69 interchange would have to happen.
As for how Indiana would go for a new-terrain route, very little of the route will be in Indiana either way. The state line is well north of the river. Few Indianans will be severely inconvenienced beyond having to pay for the bridge.The map posted above has two alternatives to the west that both dwarf I-164 in length.
As for how Indiana would go for a new-terrain route, very little of the route will be in Indiana either way. The state line is well north of the river. Few Indianans will be severely inconvenienced beyond having to pay for the bridge.The map posted above has two alternatives to the west that both dwarf I-164 in length.
Moonlite BBQ or no, Owensboro shouldn't carry enough weight to be calling the shots.
Moonlite BBQ or no, Owensboro shouldn't carry enough weight to be calling the shots.
Out of curiosity, were you from the region? Because... Moonlite BBQ is just amazing. Owensboro is one of my favorite Kentucky towns to visit for the food (from the state, originally).
Moonlite BBQ or no, Owensboro shouldn't carry enough weight to be calling the shots.
Out of curiosity, were you from the region? Because... Moonlite BBQ is just amazing. Owensboro is one of my favorite Kentucky towns to visit for the food (from the state, originally).
Moonlite is for tourists. The locals prefer another BBQ joint in Owensboro, the name of which escapes me at the moment.
Moonlite is for tourists. The locals prefer another BBQ joint in Owensboro, the name of which escapes me at the moment.
Moonlite is for tourists. The locals prefer another BBQ joint in Owensboro, the name of which escapes me at the moment.
My guess is you are thinking of Old Hickory.
On a side note, the bad blood between Evansville and Owensboro, particularly Mayor Ron has began to boil quite a bit harder. Evansville was in a tough lease negotiation with its minor league hockey team when Mayor Ron appeared out of nowhere and gave the hockey team owner, Ron Geary, the Owensboro Sportscenter. A few stips, primarily Geary has to put $6 mil into renovating it, but the arena is basically his. On the surface it seems ridiculous for a hockey team to leave a larger market with a 5 year old state of the art arena, for Owensboro and a 70 year old dump that isn't even large enough in its current state to hold hockey..but...Geary, who also owns Ellis Park, gets a new OTB parlor in Owensboro as well.
Of course, this has sent Winnecke and the city of Evansville in full batcrap mode. They are publicly working feverishly to secure a new hockey team for the Ford Center. I have a friend who works at the Evansville Airport, and he has heard that Winnecke has asked the Airport Board to make every attempt possible to lure Allegant Airlines from Owensboro to Evansville. EVV currently has three commercial airlines, American, Delta and United, while Allegant is the only commercial carrier in OWB. Allegant already markets this as (Evansville). Losing Allegant would be a huge blow to OWB.
It's really sad that these cities can't work together for the common good of the region, as Evansville and Henderson appear to do. However, Mayor Ron seems to be incapable of that, as seen with his rather moronic attempt to relocate an already completed I-69 away from Evansville.
Regardless, things should be interesting in this region for awhile.
all it takes for an airport to have an International designation in the name is a US Customs office; so the term International in an airport name is pretty loose.
all it takes for an airport to have an International designation in the name is a US Customs office; so the term International in an airport name is pretty loose.
Allegiant flies out of KOWB I believe 3 days a week, so it is hardly regular service but it is quite handy for people in the Owensboro area if they want to save a hour driving to Evansville's airport on the other side of town from them.
all it takes for an airport to have an International designation in the name is a US Customs office; so the term International in an airport name is pretty loose.
Allegiant flies out of KOWB I believe 3 days a week, so it is hardly regular service but it is quite handy for people in the Owensboro area if they want to save a hour driving to Evansville's airport on the other side of town from them.
Cape Air also flies out of Owensboro to St. Louis; that service is daily.
all it takes for an airport to have an International designation in the name is a US Customs office; so the term International in an airport name is pretty loose.
Allegiant flies out of KOWB I believe 3 days a week, so it is hardly regular service but it is quite handy for people in the Owensboro area if they want to save a hour driving to Evansville's airport on the other side of town from them.
Cape Air also flies out of Owensboro to St. Louis; that service is daily.
all it takes for an airport to have an International designation in the name is a US Customs office; so the term International in an airport name is pretty loose.
Allegiant flies out of KOWB I believe 3 days a week, so it is hardly regular service but it is quite handy for people in the Owensboro area if they want to save a hour driving to Evansville's airport on the other side of town from them.
Cape Air also flies out of Owensboro to St. Louis; that service is daily.
This has gotten way off track, but I would assume the Cape Air flights are on Cessna 402 aircraft that carry 8 or 9 passenges so I doubt that would be something worth going after. Not only that, but that is a pretty short distance for air travel - especially when I-64 connects directly to St. Louis. Indy airport hasn't had flights to St. Louis in years since St. Louis lost its hub status.
I know USAir used to fly IND-EVV, because I've taken that flight, a long time ago.
Why would anyone want to fly from Indy to Cincinnati or St. Louis? By the time you get to the airport, park, go through TSA theater, etc., you could drive to either city.
Why would anyone want to fly from Indy to Cincinnati or St. Louis? By the time you get to the airport, park, go through TSA theater, etc., you could drive to either city.
I feel guilty for having nothing to say about the proposed I-69 bridge over the Ohio River, but I remember flying from Indy to Cincy back in 2009...to go to Las Vegas. Though I understand it no longer being possible. So yeah....that bridge.
all it takes for an airport to have an International designation in the name is a US Customs office; so the term International in an airport name is pretty loose.
San Jose, California's, airport called itself "Norman Mineta International" when there were NO scheduled flights to any other countries. Many Bay Area residents started calling it "Mineta Intergalactic," because it was just as intergalactic as it was international.
all it takes for an airport to have an International designation in the name is a US Customs office; so the term International in an airport name is pretty loose.
San Jose, California's, airport called itself "Norman Mineta International" when there were NO scheduled flights to any other countries. Many Bay Area residents started calling it "Mineta Intergalactic," because it was just as intergalactic as it was international.
My local airport (Appleton, WI - ATW) recently added a USCustoms office along with the 'international' moniker, too, done so to make life easier for the airport's major non-passenger related tenant, that being Gulfstream (the upper-end private airplane builder). Now, their customers don't have to clear customs elsewhere when flying their airplanes in for service from outside of the USA.
Mike
Looks like there may be some movement by Indiana and Kentucky on restarting efforts to build the I-69 bridge over the Ohio River. Discussion is ongoing with Governor Pence of Indiana and Governor Bevin of Kentucky to secure funding to re-start environmental studies that will eventually determine where the bridge and its approaches will be built. Construction is still a long way off though.We can see a time not too far off when I-69 will be complete in both Indiana and Kentucky, except for the bridge. Obvious gaps have a way of attracting attention!
http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/winnecke-asks-for-impact-study-on-new-i-69-bridge
Looks like there may be some movement by Indiana and Kentucky on restarting efforts to build the I-69 bridge over the Ohio River. Discussion is ongoing with Governor Pence of Indiana and Governor Bevin of Kentucky to secure funding to re-start environmental studies that will eventually determine where the bridge and its approaches will be built. Construction is still a long way off though.
http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/winnecke-asks-for-impact-study-on-new-i-69-bridge
Looks like there may be some movement by Indiana and Kentucky on restarting efforts to build the I-69 bridge over the Ohio River. Discussion is ongoing with Governor Pence of Indiana and Governor Bevin of Kentucky to secure funding to re-start environmental studies that will eventually determine where the bridge and its approaches will be built. Construction is still a long way off though.We can see a time not too far off when I-69 will be complete in both Indiana and Kentucky, except for the bridge. Obvious gaps have a way of attracting attention!
http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/winnecke-asks-for-impact-study-on-new-i-69-bridge
The bridge will indeed be entirely within Kentucky, since sediment accretion on the inside of the river bend has shifted the river well south of where it was when the border was drawn, but not in a million years could I see that leading to Kentucky taking full ownership of the bridge cost (nor Indiana expecting it to).Isn't the preferred alternative to build new bridges far enough east of the existing US 41 bridges that the border would be back on the north shore of the river?
The bridge will indeed be entirely within Kentucky, since sediment accretion on the inside of the river bend has shifted the river well south of where it was when the border was drawn, but not in a million years could I see that leading to Kentucky taking full ownership of the bridge cost (nor Indiana expecting it to).Isn't the preferred alternative to build new bridges far enough east of the existing US 41 bridges that the border would be back on the north shore of the river?
Looks like there may be some movement by Indiana and Kentucky on restarting efforts to build the I-69 bridge over the Ohio River. Discussion is ongoing with Governor Pence of Indiana and Governor Bevin of Kentucky to secure funding to re-start environmental studies that will eventually determine where the bridge and its approaches will be built. Construction is still a long way off though.We can see a time not too far off when I-69 will be complete in both Indiana and Kentucky, except for the bridge. Obvious gaps have a way of attracting attention!
http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/winnecke-asks-for-impact-study-on-new-i-69-bridge
What's changed now is that with I-69 connected to SR-37 (and Indianapolis/I-69N) in Indiana and the Parkways being signed as I-69 in Kentucky, has introduced a forcing function to get the Ohio River Bridge done. That forcing function of course being all of the traffic that is (or soon will be) generated by the completed sections of the route that will have no other option but to use the outdated US-41 bridges over the river.
Looks like there may be some movement by Indiana and Kentucky on restarting efforts to build the I-69 bridge over the Ohio River. Discussion is ongoing with Governor Pence of Indiana and Governor Bevin of Kentucky to secure funding to re-start environmental studies that will eventually determine where the bridge and its approaches will be built. Construction is still a long way off though.We can see a time not too far off when I-69 will be complete in both Indiana and Kentucky, except for the bridge. Obvious gaps have a way of attracting attention!
http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/winnecke-asks-for-impact-study-on-new-i-69-bridge
What's changed now is that with I-69 connected to SR-37 (and Indianapolis/I-69N) in Indiana and the Parkways being signed as I-69 in Kentucky, has introduced a forcing function to get the Ohio River Bridge done. That forcing function of course being all of the traffic that is (or soon will be) generated by the completed sections of the route that will have no other option but to use the outdated US-41 bridges over the river.
I don't imagine traffic will increase on I-69 south of Evansville for quite some time, at least until it is complete to Memphis. However, maybe traffic would increase if motorists utilize I-69 to US 51 to I-155 to I-55 to reach Memphis, since most of US 51 between Fulton and Dyersburg is already interstate standard.
Either way, I think the political pressure will increase to close the gap since I-69 bumps up against it from both directions, and you can then say that I-69 is complete from Kentucky to Canada.
and the goal of an inner-city Interstate 69 route to replace both crossings?
US 41 bridges need to be replaced eventually, also, since the new bridge is likely to be tolled, they must exist to provide a free alternative. I hope 41 doesn't get downgraded around the bridge to being 2 lanes wide.
and the goal of an inner-city Interstate 69 route to replace both crossings?
?
This is not even in the broad 2002 map of possibilities, nor does it seem like it fills a need the present plan does not. Evansville and especially Henderson are not that big. Where are you getting this from?
and the goal of an inner-city Interstate 69 route to replace both crossings?
?
This is not even in the broad 2002 map of possibilities, nor does it seem like it fills a need the present plan does not. Evansville and especially Henderson are not that big. Where are you getting this from?
On a map of the alignments, there was one or two that used the existing US 41 by elevating the interstate over the existing facility and another that plows through a residential neighborhood to the west/north.
US 41 bridges need to be replaced eventually, also, since the new bridge is likely to be tolled, they must exist to provide a free alternative. I hope 41 doesn't get downgraded around the bridge to being 2 lanes wide.
Maybe the solution would be building an 8-lane bridge that not only carries I-69 but replaces the US-41 bridges. Kill two birds with one stone?
US 41 bridges need to be replaced eventually, also, since the new bridge is likely to be tolled, they must exist to provide a free alternative. I hope 41 doesn't get downgraded around the bridge to being 2 lanes wide.
Maybe the solution would be building an 8-lane bridge that not only carries I-69 but replaces the US-41 bridges. Kill two birds with one stone?
I think initially the plan was for the new I-69 bridge to be six lanes, but in order to make the bridge more palatable the design was reduced to four lanes.
and the goal of an inner-city Interstate 69 route to replace both crossings?
?
This is not even in the broad 2002 map of possibilities, nor does it seem like it fills a need the present plan does not. Evansville and especially Henderson are not that big. Where are you getting this from?
On a map of the alignments, there was one or two that used the existing US 41 by elevating the interstate over the existing facility and another that plows through a residential neighborhood to the west/north.
On a map of the alignments, there was one or two that used the existing US 41 by elevating the interstate over the existing facility and another that plows through a residential neighborhood to the west/north.and the goal of an inner-city Interstate 69 route to replace both crossings??
This is not even in the broad 2002 map of possibilities, nor does it seem like it fills a need the present plan does not. Evansville and especially Henderson are not that big. Where are you getting this from?
a January, 2014 I-69 SIU 4 in Henderson County Feasibility Study (http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/I-69%20SIU%204_FEASIBILITY%20STUDY_FINAL.pdf) that KYTC prepared .... BridgeLink's favored alternative is known as Alternative 1a .An interesting aspect of the January, 2014 Feasibility Study is that all of the alternatives except for Alternative 1a would involve closing the Twin Bridges and building a new bridge (p. 18/82 of pdf; p. ES11 of document):QuoteIn this Feasibility Study, seven alternatives and some variations were examined at the concept level. All but one of these alternatives (1a) would close the existing US 41 twin bridges over the Ohio River northeast of Henderson and construct a new bridge.The goals of the Feasibility Study were identified as follows (p. 21/82 of pdf; p. 2 of document):QuoteThe following goals were identified for the project Feasibility Study:After looking at the comments from the September 8 Evansville meeting and seeing BridgeLink's favored alternative, it seems like the notion of closing the Twin Bridges and having a single crossing I-69 bridge is a non-starter for most people.
* Shorten the project from its original concept so that as much of the existing Breathitt Parkway and US 41 are used for the future I-69 as possible.
* Provide for a single river crossing for US 41 and I-69.
* Provide access from I-69 to the businesses along US 41.
Henderson would be pissed to have 69 go over 41 through town.
US 41 bridges need to be replaced eventually, also, since the new bridge is likely to be tolled, they must exist to provide a free alternative. I hope 41 doesn't get downgraded around the bridge to being 2 lanes wide.
It's not been that many years ago that Kentucky did a crapload of work on the bridges. I remember driving across when they had a setup that involved only having one lane open on one bridge. Surely they can't need extensive, expensive work so soon afterwards.
If one of the US 41 bridges were converted to non-vehicle traffic use, it would still cost quite a bit of money to keep it maintained. I am not sure how much less it would cost, though.
I should note that just upstream in Louisville, the operator of Waterfront Park is publicly asking for state assistance. Apparently one of the pledges for lighting the Big 4 bridge fell through.
the P3 legislation did not pass and this March 27 blog (http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2015/03/potential-for-tolls-didn-t-kill-brent-spence.html?page=all) comments on the reasons why the Kentucky Senate failed to pass the P3 legislation:QuoteNorthern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce CEO Trey Grayson, a former Kentucky secretary of state and experienced Frankfort hand ....This April 2 article (http://www.courierpress.com/gleaner/news/ridley-says-kentucky-needs-bipartisan-cooperation-in-legislature_01404955) reports that Western Kentucky officals want P3 as an option for the I-69 Ohio River Bridge, even if Northern Kentucky officials are opposed to tolls:
“The wild card will be what is the new governor’s position on the Brent Spence Bridge as a piece of this,” Grayson said.QuoteSen. Dorsey Ridley .... said ....
"If they will at least come across the aisle and have a conversation with us we could do that. We could have passed the P3 (public-private partnership) legislation, in my estimation, and allow us to move forward in building the bridge we need on I-69."
Kyndle CEO and President Brad Schneider agreed, but said "in Kentucky, sometimes our differences are regional more than they are by party.
"Next session, let the folks in Northern Kentucky know — while they figure out what they want to do — we'd love to move forward here," Schneider said. To fund bridges and other infrastructure in Western Kentucky, he said, "P3 would be a great tool in the toolbox." ....
Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro ....
expressed disappointment in the failure of the P3 legislation. "The main thing is for us to get that (Interstate 69) bridge. P3 is one of the best things for that opportunity."
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed a law on Friday that bans tolls on interstate bridges that connect Ohio and Kentucky ....
In reality, what was known as House Bill 309 makes it possible for private money to be used to fund public projects except in the case of any highway connecting Ohio and Kentucky without authorization from the General Assembly. That essentially rules out the option of tolling for the Brent Spence Bridge.
Justin Groenert, from the Southwest Indiana Chamber, knows this bill could pave the way for the all-important I-69 bridge over the Ohio.
"It gives Kentucky another avenue to finance the bridge," Groenert said. "We're confident that he'll sign it - so this is a really big win for for the long term in terms of getting this project started."
Legislators and Tri-State officials have been trying to get a bill like this passed for the last three legislative sessions.
There's a loud anti-toll contingent in northern Kentucky, especially Covington. My guess is that if a bill to toll a Brent Spence Bridge replacement was introduced in the General Assembly, it would pass. The NKY delegation isn't that influential.
There's a loud anti-toll contingent in northern Kentucky, especially Covington. My guess is that if a bill to toll a Brent Spence Bridge replacement was introduced in the General Assembly, it would pass. The NKY delegation isn't that influential.
Is there any chance of a bill making it to the General Assembly in the near future?
Depends on whether or not the two states want to move forward with building a bridge and putting tolls on it. There's still a coalition that persists in claiming that an outer eastern/southeastern loop (with a new bridge somewhere upstream from Newport) would be cheaper than a parallel to the Brent Spence and all the work that will have to be done to the interchanges at either end.
Depends on whether or not the two states want to move forward with building a bridge and putting tolls on it. There's still a coalition that persists in claiming that an outer eastern/southeastern loop (with a new bridge somewhere upstream from Newport) would be cheaper than a parallel to the Brent Spence and all the work that will have to be done to the interchanges at either end.
Would this also be upstream of the I-275 east bridge? Either way, a new alignment upstream of Newport doesn't really seem to fix the problem.
Here is a snip from the Projects List of the 2016 Recommended Highway Plan (p. 51/119 of pdf) (http://transportation.ky.gov/Program-Management/Documents/2016RecommendedProjectListing.pdf):
(http://i.imgur.com/EVq5Q5g.png)
Pensions funds, I-69 funding and more financial transparency were among the topics Tuesday as state legislators came together for "Coffee with Kyndle: A Legislative Review Breakfast."
Panel participants included senators Dorsey Ridley and Joe Bowen, and representatives Jim Gooch Jr., Suzanne Miles and David Watkins ....
"The I-69 (bridge) corridor is alive and well, and the road plan we put before Gov. Matt Bevin is better than I ever dreamed," Ridley explained. "Simply because in 2016, we have $2.8 million for the environment survey; in 2017, we have $6 million for the design phase; then in 2018, there's $20 million for right of way acquisition; and in 2019 there's money to do the utility moving. These are all things that have to happen before we turn the first spade of dirt ... I do have to give Gov. Bevin credit because he pushed the original environmental piece forward, and the rest of it came rapidly."
the Executive Summary of the 2004 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for I-69 between Evansville and Henderson (http://www.edrgroup.com/pdf/executive%20summary.pdf) ....
Alternative 2 was identified as the Preferred Alternative (page 23/23 of pdf; page S-23 of document)Steven Ross, Transportation Engineering Branch Manager at KYTC, just posted the entire Ohio River Bridge DEIS. Links to sections of the DEIS can found in the "Henderson to Evansville - Proposed Interstate 69" section at the bottom of this page:
http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/I-69.aspxa January, 2014 I-69 SIU 4 in Henderson County Feasibility Study (http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Planning%20Studies%20and%20Reports/I-69%20SIU%204_FEASIBILITY%20STUDY_FINAL.pdf) that KYTC prepared ... BridgeLink's favored alternative is known as Alternative 1a .... (p. 51/82 of pdf; p. 32 of document)....
This January 28 article (http://www.thegleaner.com/news/schneider-gives-update-on-kyndle--2a2eabeb-ae1b-79b9-e053-0100007f7872-366903111.html) reports on Kyndle CEO Brad Schneider's belief that the environmental study will focus on the above two corridors:QuoteKyndle CEO Brad Schneider ....It will be interesting to see whether KYTC will be required to study additional corridors as part of the environmental process, or, in the alternative, whether information gleaned from the 2004 DEIS and the 2014 SIU 4 Henderson County Feasibility Study will allow KYTC to immediately focus on the above two corridors.
The governor bumped up the environmental impact study on the bridge from 2018 to 2017. He also added $300,000 to the project and added $41 million for pre-construction work in years 2019-21.
Schneider thinks this signals that Bevin is going to update the environmental impact study on the old route, examine the new route and do a total revenue study that will jibe with the one done in Indiana last fall.
Having the environmental study in 2016, design in 2017, and ROW acquisition in 2018 seems like an aggressive timetable. I'm guessing that FHWA will somehow allow use of the previous studies to be incorporated into a streamlined environmental process.
Local leaders are extremely hopeful and optimistic ahead of Indiana Governor Mike Pence's 'major announcement' regarding I-69 next week. The announcement, which is to be held in the shadow of the Twin Bridges, is expected to center around the possibility of an I-69 bridge.
Big announcement by @GovPenceIN on I-69 Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. CDT. It’s to be held in the south parking lot of Ellis Park
— 69BridgeLink (@69BridgeLink) June 23, 2016
Big announcement by @GovPenceIN on I-69 Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. CDT. It’s to be held in the south parking lot of Ellis Park
— 69BridgeLink (@69BridgeLink) June 23, 2016
Ellis Park is actually in Kentucky (despite being on the N. Side of the Ohio River), so I'd expect Bevin to be there as well.
I think a P3 announcement may actually be happening.
Big announcement by @GovPenceIN on I-69 Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. CDT. It’s to be held in the south parking lot of Ellis Park
— 69BridgeLink (@69BridgeLink) June 23, 2016
Ellis Park is actually in Kentucky (despite being on the N. Side of the Ohio River), so I'd expect Bevin to be there as well.
I think a P3 announcement may actually be happening.
There's been no publicity at all on this in Kentucky regarding the governor's involvement, or what might be on the agenda.
HENDERSON, Ky. -- An announcement described as having a "major I-69 infrastructure" update from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin is set for Thursday at Ellis Park.
According to a news release from BridgeLink, the announcement will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the south parking lot at Ellis Park.
If the SIU 3 work is coming in under budget, Indiana might have some more money to kick in toward environmental, design, and ROW for the SIU 4 bridge. That's all I can figure unless they got one of the FASTLANE grants that haven't been announced yet.
I have never had a problem traversing the Ohio on the current US 41. What is the big deal?
They're probably not going to turn it into a freeway on that alignment, which makes connecting I-69 in KY and IN impossible.
However, if their goal is to toll it, it better be a cheap toll, or else way too many shunpikers are going to follow US41. And with US41 still free, I can't imagine truck traffic not wanting to just jog west a few miles, cross the free bridge, and then get back on I-69. Especially with US41 north of Evansville having a lot of truck related facilities near the airport, making all trucks take the toll bridge seems difficult to pull off.
State officials from Indiana and Kentucky announced the commission of study and design work for an Interstate 69 bridge between Evansville and Henderson.
The cost for the project was estimated by BridgeLink officials as about $850 million for a four-lane bridge over the Ohio River. It would include "modest tolls."
I would not be shocked that some years in the future after the I-69 crossing is complete, that the older bridge may be closed if there are structural issues and US 41 narrowed back down to two-lane traffic across the river. In the presentation today, it was hinted at where one of the officials (I think Gov. Pence) said that at least one US 41 bridge would be maintained for local traffic. That would certainaly make a tolled I-69 bridge more attractive for through traffic.
I think its totally ridiculous not allowing trucks to use the US 41 bridges. The truck drivers didn't tell the government to build a new toll bridge that they (IN and KY) cannot afford. I think truckers and anybody else should have the freedom to choose whichever bridges they want to use.
Indiana, Kentucky Governors Launch I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project
Henderson, KY – Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin today signed a Memorandum of Agreement to launch the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project. The states announced a combined commitment of about $17 million in their capital plans to advance project development.
“As the Crossroads of America, we know that roads mean jobs here in the Hoosier state,” said Governor Pence. “The partnership we are announcing today is a significant step in completing the vision of I-69 that will strengthen our transportation network and support economic investment and opportunity for generations of Hoosiers to come.”
Indiana and Kentucky will seek innovations from the private sector in expediting preliminary design and the required environmental review, with both states splitting costs and oversight. The MOA signed today authorizes the Indiana Department of Transportation to publish a formal request for proposals later this summer.
“I-69 is opening up Western Kentucky like never before,” said Governor Bevin. “Advancing the Ohio River Crossing will continue to build on that momentum. This additional north-south trunk will invite investment and spark further job growth in Kentucky. Our partnership will pay dividends for the entire Commonwealth.”
The environmental review and preliminary design will collect public input and study potential routes to connect the existing I-69 sections, the Robert D. Orr Highway south of Evansville and the upgraded Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway south of Henderson. The review will also consider and collect public input on funding sources to build the project. Working cooperatively with the Federal Highway Administration, the states anticipate it will take about three years to complete the review and reach conclusions for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing route.
For additional information about the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project, visit: www.I69Crossing.indot.in.gov.
Has an EIS been conducted for the route?
Henderson needs to get on the Breezewood bandwagon now. If I were rgovernor I would like the traffic to slow down and take a break in KENTUCKY. Building the bridge will only cause tax dollars to drive away.
Henderson needs to get on the Breezewood bandwagon now. If I were rgovernor I would like the traffic to slow down and take a break in KENTUCKY. Building the bridge will only cause tax dollars to drive away.
Henderson is very supportive of building the I-69 bridge and completing the link. They probably expect the benefits to outweigh any negatives that might come from diverting through traffic off US 41.
I've been on the "Strip" section of US 41 a few times during busy parts of the day. It stinks. There's a reason everyone hates Breezewood.
I thought they already had been planning this for years? Why is there going to be a 3 year EIS?
I thought they already had been planning this for years? Why is there going to be a 3 year EIS?
A southern Indiana man who was once in charge of getting I-69 built now has a new challenge. Indiana Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Sam Sarvis is now in charge of a single project: getting the bridge built on I-69 connecting Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky.
Henderson needs to get on the Breezewood bandwagon now. If I were rgovernor I would like the traffic to slow down and take a break in KENTUCKY. Building the bridge will only cause tax dollars to drive away.
Henderson is very supportive of building the I-69 bridge and completing the link. They probably expect the benefits to outweigh any negatives that might come from diverting through traffic off US 41.
I've been on the "Strip" section of US 41 a few times during busy parts of the day. It stinks. There's a reason everyone hates Breezewood.
I have never had any problem with this section. It could be that I always patronize businesses in Henderson. I think I have always stopped in Henderson for some reason or another. If I-69 was complete through there I seriously doubt that I would stop there. I even done business there when my destination was Evansville.
I think I-124 was a typo. The remainder of the Pennyrile Parkway is still the Pennyrile Parkway.
They should designate it as I-69E.
What about I-24E?
The Indiana Department of Transportation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have chosen California-based Parson Transportation Group Inc. to lead the preliminary design and environmental review for the proposed I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project. Both departments hope to have an advance contract signed by the end of the year.
INDOT says the Parsons will conduct the review by collecting public input and studying potential routes for the interstate extension, as well as funding sources for the project. Both departments will meet with Parsons this week to begin contract negotiations. Parsons was selected from a number of firms who submitted proposals for the project.
Announced in June, Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin announced both states would split the costs and oversight of the preliminary design and environmental testing work. Pence called the bridge an "artery of growth" that will help bring more prosperity to both states.
The extension will connect Evansville with Henderson, Kentucky.
Pence and Bevin said they had set aside $17 million for development costs. At the time of the original announcement, officials estimated the review and federal approval processes could take about three years to complete.
This article (http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/33715164/states-select-i-69-bridge-design-team) reports that INDOT and KYTC have selected Parson Transportation Group for the preliminary design and to conduct the environmental review of the I-69 Ohio River bridge, a contract with that team is hoped to be finalized by the end of the year, and that the enveironmental review could take three years:QuoteThe Indiana Department of Transportation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have chosen California-based Parson Transportation Group Inc. to lead the preliminary design and environmental review for the proposed I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project. Both departments hope to have an advance contract signed by the end of the year.
INDOT says the Parsons will conduct the review by collecting public input and studying potential routes for the interstate extension, as well as funding sources for the project. Both departments will meet with Parsons this week to begin contract negotiations. Parsons was selected from a number of firms who submitted proposals for the project.
Announced in June, Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin announced both states would split the costs and oversight of the preliminary design and environmental testing work. Pence called the bridge an "artery of growth" that will help bring more prosperity to both states.
The extension will connect Evansville with Henderson, Kentucky.
Pence and Bevin said they had set aside $17 million for development costs. At the time of the original announcement, officials estimated the review and federal approval processes could take about three years to complete.
There is also this TV video (http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/i-69-bridge-partner-announced-today-negotiations-already-underway) about the selection of Parson.
They have to go over every single blade of grass to make sure there isn't a single animal, plant, wetland, waterway, piece of land that could theoretically be used for farming, parkland, scenic view, historic building, archaeological resource, or a number of other things that could potentially be negatively affected by the project. If even one thing is missed, it means a massive lawsuit would likely be filed against the state by an environmental group.
They have to go over every single blade of grass to make sure there isn't a single animal, plant, wetland, waterway, piece of land that could theoretically be used for farming, parkland, scenic view, historic building, archaeological resource, or a number of other things that could potentially be negatively affected by the project. If even one thing is missed, it means a massive lawsuit would likely be filed against the state by an environmental group.
those are so annoying to complete
Only three years?!
There is a road up near my family's cabin in the Cascade Mountains that had a half-mile section washed out in a 2006 flood. The county plans to rebuild the road uphill, but the environmental impact statement and all that crap has taken over ten years to do, and construction on this road won't start until 2018, and the road won't be completed until 2020! That's fourteen years without a paved road to our cabin. We currently have to to drive on a gravel road to our cabin, which takes 45 minutes longer.
Moral of the story: I HATE environmental impact statements!! There should be a law that states that they can't spend more than three years on them.
One for the history books is how several local Kentucky officials described the first week of the new legislative session in which several bills were fast-tracked to the governor's desk, including legislation involving abortion, right to work and the establishment a new U of L board of trustees.
State Sen. Dorsey Ridley, a Democrat who has been named as the Minority Caucus Chair; Republican Rep. Suzanne Miles; and newly elected Rep. Robby Mills, also a Republican, spoke during a legislative preview breakfast Monday morning sponsored by Kyndle at the Big Rivers Training Facility at Third and Main streets ...
During a question and answer period,City Commissioner Patti Bugg asked about the state of the I-69 bridge project.
"The leadership on the bridge approaches has been given to the Indiana Department of Transportation," Mills said. "So there is a lot of work to preparing routes, studying routes, preparing ... we were told that is an 18 month process."
While there is still no route decided for I-69 through Henderson, an answer should be coming in late 2019.
Kevin McClearn, the western Kentucky regional manager for American Engineers, Inc., spoke at the Henderson Rotary Club on Thursday about his thoughts on I-69 and what Henderson might see in the future.
Previously an engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, McClearn offered his professional opinion on the project, but stressed that he wasn't officially representing the project. While Parsons Transportation Group is the lead consultant on the I-69 Ohio River crossing project, Stantec, the same company working on the design for a new Spottsville Bridge, will also consult on the process, along with American Engineers, Inc., and 16 other consultants ....
In 2019, consultants plan to receive a record of decision, which includes environmental studies and other information, from the federal government. From there, an exact I-69 route through Henderson and/or Henderson County will be selected and funding will be decided upon.
"No one can predict where the route is going to go," said McClearn. "We all have our guesses. I'm not able to tell you what their favorite (route) is because there is no favorite. Everything will be considered. Once a route is chosen, hopefully it'll be a defendable alignment." ....
Different routes on the table include paths parallel and just to the east of the twin bridges or that follow along the existing U.S. 41 corridor. Another possible route would cross the Ohio River much further east, traveling between the communities of Graham and Zion before then connecting with the current Pennyrile Parkway/I-69 path. And yet another path further to the east would span the Ohio and then turn southwest after crossing U.S. 60 before merging with the current U.S. 41 just north of Kentucky 351.
With the question of the specific route for I-69 comes several other issues.
McClearn said one important question to ask is will the twin bridges remain or be demolished? After all, maintaining the structures comes at a high price. To maintain the bridges, KYTC may fix sections, paint, control vegetation and clean. And, according to McClearn, it takes approximately $25 million to paint both of the U.S. 41 bridges.
If a new bridge is built, officials may also consider keeping just one of the twin bridges ....
When asked what year he would guess the I-69 Ohio River crossing project would be complete, McClearn anticipated the project would not be complete until the year 2027, and that's if the project encounters no serious setbacks.
2027? We'll be old and grey by then!
2027? We'll be old and grey by then!
The Mayor says one of the biggest priorities this year is the completion of I-69, not only to the north but also the new Ohio River Bridge between Evansville and Henderson.
It's something Indiana, Kentucky, and the federal government must figure out how to pay for.
Right now, officials are conducting an environmental impact study first.
"We hope that as the EIS gets completed in the next year and a half to two years and as we have in-depth discussions about potential funding sources that the Vice President will remember this as he and the President work together on the proposed infrastructure package," said Mayor Winnecke. "We'll certainly use all our connections that we have."
The exact location of the I-69 bridge between Evansville and Henderson has not yet been determined.
I have never been delayed ever either Southbound or Northbound on the current bridge configuration. Are the current bridges safe?
I have never been delayed ever either Southbound or Northbound on the current bridge configuration. Are the current bridges safe?
You must not be traveling them at the right time. I need to put you in touch with the people who deal with the delays here on a frequent basis. Most anytime there's even the slightest incident on one of the bridges, or even minor routine maintenance, traffic stacks up.
best case scenario is brand new 69 crossing and 2 brand new 41 crossings (twin bridges for 41).
best case scenario is brand new 69 crossing and 2 brand new 41 crossings (twin bridges for 41).
That's unlikely, at least in the near term. Having enough trouble getting the financial wherewithal to build the 69 bridge; any revamping or replacement of the 41 bridges will probably have to wait until well after the new 69 crossing is somewhat amortized -- or at least not fresh in the memory of those with the purse strings.
I would say that unless the bridge gets some type of priority funding it is very likely to be tolled.If that's the case I'd say 41 won't lose much traffic
I would say that unless the bridge gets some type of priority funding it is very likely to be tolled.If that's the case I'd say 41 won't lose much traffic
Haha never underestimate people's cheapnessI would say that unless the bridge gets some type of priority funding it is very likely to be tolled.If that's the case I'd say 41 won't lose much traffic
It will if they do something to discourage through traffic -- more traffic lights, lowered weight limit on the bridge, a truck ban, etc.
It boggles my mind that people would rather go out of the way and venture into the burning pit of hell that is downtown Louisville traffic to save $2 in tolls. If you lose 15 minutes by using US 41 instead of I-69, that's not worth $2.
Haha never underestimate people's cheapnessI would say that unless the bridge gets some type of priority funding it is very likely to be tolled.If that's the case I'd say 41 won't lose much traffic
It will if they do something to discourage through traffic -- more traffic lights, lowered weight limit on the bridge, a truck ban, etc.
It boggles my mind that people would rather go out of the way and venture into the burning pit of hell that is downtown Louisville traffic to save $2 in tolls. If you lose 15 minutes by using US 41 instead of I-69, that's not worth $2.
Haha never underestimate people's cheapnessI would say that unless the bridge gets some type of priority funding it is very likely to be tolled.If that's the case I'd say 41 won't lose much traffic
It will if they do something to discourage through traffic -- more traffic lights, lowered weight limit on the bridge, a truck ban, etc.
It boggles my mind that people would rather go out of the way and venture into the burning pit of hell that is downtown Louisville traffic to save $2 in tolls. If you lose 15 minutes by using US 41 instead of I-69, that's not worth $2.
To each their own, but to me, my time and peace of mind are worth something. It's certainly not worth it to me to get off the interstate and have to deal with stop-and-go traffic and traffic lights to cross the US 31 bridge.
Getting a prepay pass living in Evansville doesn't seem all that practical, and I am not sure how you could transfer that to a rental anyway.
Everything's a money grab. Witness a landline phone company charging a $99 connection fee for a house that's already wired, when all they have to do is flip a switch somewhere.
Getting a prepay pass living in Evansville doesn't seem all that practical, and I am not sure how you could transfer that to a rental anyway.
I don't live anywhere near a toll facility. Closest ones to me are the new Louisville bridges (which I rarely cross) and the West Virginia Turnpike (which I don't use all that often). Regardless, I still have an E-ZPass (issued by the WV Turnpike) and transferring it to a rental is fairly easy. All i would have to do, once I acquired the rental, would be to log onto their website and enter the license plate number. Then when I turned the rental in, go back and remove that plate number from my list of vehicles.
As for mounting, you can get suction cup mounts that stick to the windshield that eliminate the need for the little Velcro strips.
I have an IPass and that's what I do with mine when I get a rental car. By the way, where does one get these suction cup mounts? From Amazon/EBay/etc.,?
I have an IPass and that's what I do with mine when I get a rental car. By the way, where does one get these suction cup mounts? From Amazon/EBay/etc.,?
I think you can get them from any Jewel Osco store or the Illinois tollway office, off of I-88
I have an IPass and that's what I do with mine when I get a rental car. By the way, where does one get these suction cup mounts? From Amazon/EBay/etc.,?
I think you can get them from any Jewel Osco store or the Illinois tollway office, off of I-88
Actually I don't live in Illinois. I just got the IPass because I visit Chicago often.
Actually that's the reason I visit Chicago so much :D
I have an IPass and that's what I do with mine when I get a rental car. By the way, where does one get these suction cup mounts? From Amazon/EBay/etc.,?
I think you can get them from any Jewel Osco store or the Illinois tollway office, off of I-88
Actually I don't live in Illinois. I just got the IPass because I visit Chicago often.
ha. The Cubs logo threw me off.
Longtime Cubs fan in the SW suburbs here.
INDOT released their stip report, and 69 ohio river bridge is on it, well the new roadway approach it appears. http://www.in.gov/indot/3132.htm
INDOT released their stip report, and 69 ohio river bridge is on it, well the new roadway approach it appears. http://www.in.gov/indot/3132.htm
Which page? There are like 291 unsortable pages in the spreadsheet! :-o
INDOT released their stip report, and 69 ohio river bridge is on it, well the new roadway approach it appears. http://www.in.gov/indot/3132.htm
Which page? There are like 291 unsortable pages in the spreadsheet! :-o
ctrl+f and type in the county, use vanderburgh.
Welcome to the club! I may live in Seattle now, but I'm still a Cubs fan through and through :)Actually that's the reason I visit Chicago so much :D
I have an IPass and that's what I do with mine when I get a rental car. By the way, where does one get these suction cup mounts? From Amazon/EBay/etc.,?
I think you can get them from any Jewel Osco store or the Illinois tollway office, off of I-88
Actually I don't live in Illinois. I just got the IPass because I visit Chicago often.
ha. The Cubs logo threw me off.
Longtime Cubs fan in the SW suburbs here.
It's not very easy to search honestly. But about the list, I skimmed Marion and Vanderburgh and not a whole lot of big stuff. Just maintenance really.
Getting a prepay pass living in Evansville doesn't seem all that practical, and I am not sure how you could transfer that to a rental anyway.
I don't live anywhere near a toll facility. Closest ones to me are the new Louisville bridges (which I rarely cross) and the West Virginia Turnpike (which I don't use all that often). Regardless, I still have an E-ZPass (issued by the WV Turnpike) and transferring it to a rental is fairly easy. All i would have to do, once I acquired the rental, would be to log onto their website and enter the license plate number. Then when I turned the rental in, go back and remove that plate number from my list of vehicles.
As for mounting, you can get suction cup mounts that stick to the windshield that eliminate the need for the little Velcro strips.
I have an IPass and that's what I do with mine when I get a rental car. By the way, where does one get these suction cup mounts? From Amazon/EBay/etc.,?
It's not very easy to search honestly. But about the list, I skimmed Marion and Vanderburgh and not a whole lot of big stuff. Just maintenance really.
There is a line for "PR-69" (which is how INDOT refers to unbuilt sections of I-69) for the Ohio River Bridge approaches, but it appears the STIP entry is for engineering and design, not for construction.
wow 10 yrs
During the question and answer portion of the breakfast, Caleb May, director of the Henderson County Public Library district, asked about the timeline for the I-69 bridge project.
"Groundbreaking for the project is three to five years," said Judge-executive Brad Schneider, who is also a member of BridgeLink. "Don't let the talk of different routes distract you. By the end of this calendar year, you're going to see tremendous progress toward the environmental impact study and you'll hear about public hearings."
wow 10 yrs
This article (http://www.thegleaner.com/story/news/2017/04/03/local-legislators-discuss-busy-session/99748162/) reports that groundbreaking could take place for the I-69 Ohio River Bridge in as soon as three years:QuoteDuring the question and answer portion of the breakfast, Caleb May, director of the Henderson County Public Library district, asked about the timeline for the I-69 bridge project.
"Groundbreaking for the project is three to five years," said Judge-executive Brad Schneider, who is also a member of BridgeLink. "Don't let the talk of different routes distract you. By the end of this calendar year, you're going to see tremendous progress toward the environmental impact study and you'll hear about public hearings."
This article (http://www.thegleaner.com/story/news/2017/04/03/local-legislators-discuss-busy-session/99748162/)Quote"Groundbreaking for the project is three to five years," said Judge-executive Brad Schneider, who is also a member of BridgeLink. "Don't let the talk of different routes distract you. By the end of this calendar year, you're going to see tremendous progress toward the environmental impact study and you'll hear about public hearings."
i didn't realize the west corridor was being considered. I like the east corridor, but i doubt this will be picked, it will require another bridge over the green river, plus henderson would likely get pissed.
best case scenario is they have 2 crossings, and all 4 bridges (assuming 69 will be twin bridges) would be brand new.
best case scenario is they have 2 crossings, and all 4 bridges (assuming 69 will be twin bridges) would be brand new.
you think they would honestly spend the money on 4 new bridges in the current climate?
i didn't realize the west corridor was being considered. I like the east corridor, but i doubt this will be picked, it will require another bridge over the green river, plus henderson would likely get pissed.
It's pretty explicitly stated in the study document that the plan is to remove the US 41 bridges when the new span is completed, given the effort to ensure there's a connection to US 41 near the river.
Presumably that also gives them the option of delaying the freeway connection from the new bridge to the Pennyrile if necessary for funding reasons, while allowing the existing bridges to be retired, saving on future maintenance.
They are currently in the process of redecking the bridges to increase their lifespan by 25 years. I could see them perhaps going from twin bridges to focusing on one bridge (the newer one), since that is only 50 years old (compared to 75), and actually has a better approach on the Indiana side. The older bridge has a somewhat sharp turn left going north as it is going around Ellis Park. There really needs to be a second crossing over the Ohio in the Evansville/Henderson metro in case of a bad accident. There are two near Owensboro with much less traffic through that area.
700 WLW in Cincinnati was reporting today that field offices for the I-69 bridge have opened up this week in both Indiana and Kentucky.
The new offices are open in Evansville and Henderson, KY. Apparently the same staff since they are open different days of the week; both offices are never open at the same time. They are working on finalizing the route, which is not expected until sometime late in 2018. Construction at the earliest to begin in 2020 (perhaps is wishful thinking).
They are working on finalizing the route, which is not expected until sometime late in 2018. Construction at the earliest to begin in 2020 (perhaps is wishful thinking).
they have to figure out the alignment, file some annoying permits, then design it, then build it. that's a long ass time
There are five current alignments in the mix. Two of them I didn't know about until a month ago have the bridge being built just to the WEST of the current US 41 bridge and the road tearing up a residential commercial area west of the current strip in Henderson to merge into the current US 41 at its interchange with US 60. Two other options have the bridge just east of the current US 41 bridge (crossing near the mouth of the Green River into the Ohio) and going around Audubon Park to the old Pennyrile either just before the Zion Road exit or near the 425 exit. The final alternative plows through residential neighborhoods in Western Warrick County east of the Angel Mounds State Monument and crosses the Ohio and goes far east in Henderson County, KY to hitch up with I-69 near the Highway 425 exit. I really think the middle two options are the more likely.
have a link to a map of the proposed alignments? i'm not sure why they even considered anything west of 41, that's a weird choice.
have a link to a map of the proposed alignments? i'm not sure why they even considered anything west of 41, that's a weird choice.
Here you go..
https://i69ohiorivercrossing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/20170418-I-69-ORX-Open-House-Handout.pdf
i personally like the east crossing.
I would propose an alternate 8, leave in place.
I would propose an alternate 8, leave in place.
I would propose an alternate 8, leave in place.
What is your problem with building the new bridge? Do you like traffic bottlenecks?
KYTC officials say the twin bridges are inspected biannually. The last inspection was in August 2014 and it received a “satisfactory” rating.
Officials say the construction project aims to ensure the longevity of the bridge, not because it's unsafe.
More than two years of round-the-clock headaches for drivers, for work engineers say will last two decades.
One of the projects will squeeze three lanes onto one of the bridges while work is done is on the other bridge. That seems like a stretch.
One of the projects will squeeze three lanes onto one of the bridges while work is done is on the other bridge. That seems like a stretch.
http://www.14news.com/category/325565/henderson-bridge-hd-skycam-sponsored-by-dempewolf-ford