Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[ITB]

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, BigRigSteve of BigRigTravels drove the entire length of I-69 between Evansville and Indianapolis. The northbound trip started in Kuttawa, KY, and ended in Pendleton, IN. Although the sky was overcast, and there were frequent episodes of rain and drizzle, the visuals still make for interesting viewing. Make sure to watch in High Definition.

Highlights of the trip in Indiana include:

• 1:33:45  Crossing the Ohio River on the northbound span of the Twin Bridges. This bridge, which opened in 1932, will stay in use after the new I-69 Ohio River bridge opens, while the southbound Twin Bridges span, just to the west, will be decommissioned and torn down. At this time, that's the plan. It could change however.
• 1:38:15  Location where the future new alignment of I-69 turns south toward the approach of the forthcoming, new Ohio River bridge
• 1:57:20  I-64 interchange
• 2:13:40  Patoka River bridges. These 4,400-foot-long bridges were built in 2011 and 2012 by Kokosing Construction for $35.1 million. Today the cost might be upwards of $100 million.
• 2:27:55  White River, East Fork, bridge
• 2:35:50  US 50/US 150 interchange. To the west is the city of Washington; to the east, the small city of Loogootee, and a bit further east, the town of Shoals.
• 2:59:20  US 231 interchange; I-69 goes over US 231. To the south and east of the interchange is Naval Support Activity Crane (NSA Crane), commonly referred to as just "Crane." NSA Crane, which includes Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane and Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA), is the third largest Navy installation in the world, covering 62,000 acres. One quarter of the Department of Defense's ammunition is stored at Crane. To the north of the US 231 interchange, a new Munitions Campus is planned. The first project to kick off will be Prometheus Energetics' new solid rocket motor manufacturing facility, which will employ around 350. This is a big deal for this area of Indiana, and it would never have happened without I-69.
• 3:20:45. Harmony Road bridge, Monroe County. Initially, this high bridge was constructed without fencing, but a few years back there was a jumping incident it seems, and the fences went up soon afterwards.
• 3:25:05  State Road 37 interchange and Bloomington. Go Hoosiers!
• 3:46:00  State Road 39 interchange and Martinsville. Martinsville will be the location of new state truck parking facility; the exact location has not yet been announced.
• 4:01:40  State Road 144 and Bargersville. Hundreds of homes, as well as a large shopping/commercial complex, are in the works for this area. In 10 years time, Bargersville will likely be a major suburb of Indianapolis. It's very possible, too, the SR 144 interchange will have to be reworked to handle the increased traffic.
• 4:04:10  Smith Valley Road interchange, Johnson County. Note that I-69 has expanded to three lanes.
• 4:10:00  Epler Avenue exit and I-465 interchange, Indianapolis

Here's the video in its entirety:

[ilpt4u]

It was actually yesterday 5 May. His date marker is one day off on his recent streams. Sunday he drove Nashville to Covington TN to Kuttawa KY (and did NOT use TN 690/I-69 around Union City...he took US45W, for reasons unknown).

I watched a good portion Sunday Live and it displayed 3 May the whole trip

Long story short Steve has driven a good portion of Future and Current I-69 in TN, KY, and IN the last few days

[ITB]

It was actually yesterday 5 May. His date marker is one day off on his recent streams. Sunday he drove Nashville to Covington TN to Kuttawa KY (and did NOT use TN 690/I-69 around Union City...he took US45W, for reasons unknown).

I watched a good portion Sunday Live and it displayed 3 May the whole trip

Long story short Steve has driven a good portion of Future and Current I-69 in TN, KY, and IN the last few days

No, the video was truly recorded May 4, 2025. Steve no longer does livestream broadcasts when driving. A few months back he received notice from the US DOT to cease with the live camera, even though its mounted and he doesn't touch it while driving. His trip videos are now called "premieres," and are typically uploaded to YouTube the day after each drive. Chat is "live" when a premiere first broadcasts. It's a recorded video, however; the date and time stamp is indeed correct.

Here's the video in which Steve explains what happened. The pertinent part begins around 6:10.

[tdindy88]

Speaking of I-69, I was able to head south to Evansville a week ago and saw that they were basically finished with installing mileage signs along the original sections of I-69, which effectively finishes any remaining signage work needed along I-69.

First picture of a mileage sign south of Exit 98 with US 231, Washington and Evansville as destinations.


Next picture of a mileage sign south of Petersburg with SR 64 and Interstate 64 listed along with Evansville


This picture grabbed my interest. For years both Evansville and Henderson, KY have been listed as southbound control cities here. Now it's just Evansville. I'm guessing it's just INDOT standardizing its usage of Evansville as the sole southbound control city. But part of me thinks it might also be Indiana getting back at Kentucky using just Henderson heading north toward the Ohio River.


And finally, heading east on the Veterans Memorial Parkway in Evansville at the very beginning of I-69 in Indiana for now. Indianapolis is now the control city all the way from here up to I-465.

[ilpt4u]

Does he live stream them 24 hours later? The youtube stream now is "live" but for yesterday, but the clock is exactly 24 hours off

[ITB]

Does he live stream them 24 hours later? The youtube stream now is "live" but for yesterday, but the clock is exactly 24 hours off

Did you watch the video in which Steve explains the new setup? If not, I suggest you do.

[CtrlAltDel]

Does he live stream them 24 hours later? The youtube stream now is "live" but for yesterday, but the clock is exactly 24 hours off

Did you watch the video in which Steve explains the new setup? If not, I suggest you do.

Steve's not exactly a man of few words, but he does eventually say that company policy and FMCSA regulations consider livestreaming from a commercial vehicle in motion to constitute a form of distracted driving, even though he uses a set-it-and-forget-it kind of system.

[vdeane]

Does he live stream them 24 hours later? The youtube stream now is "live" but for yesterday, but the clock is exactly 24 hours off

Did you watch the video in which Steve explains the new setup? If not, I suggest you do.

Steve's not exactly a man of few words, but he does eventually say that company policy and FMCSA regulations consider livestreaming from a commercial vehicle in motion to constitute a form of distracted driving, even though he uses a set-it-and-forget-it kind of system.

Which is stupid.  If you're not interacting with it while driving, how can it POSSIBLY be distracted driving?

[Henry]

This picture grabbed my interest. For years both Evansville and Henderson, KY have been listed as southbound control cities here. Now it's just Evansville. I'm guessing it's just INDOT standardizing its usage of Evansville as the sole southbound control city. But part of me thinks it might also be Indiana getting back at Kentucky using just Henderson heading north toward the Ohio River.

AIUI, this may have something more to do with the ORX bridge still not being built, although the foundations are beginning to come in place. Using a lesser-known location sounds stupid, because I seriously doubt that the KYTC would've put up Covington back when I-75 was first built, as the larger Cincinnati (in ODOT territory) takes precedence in this instance.

[CtrlAltDel]

Does he live stream them 24 hours later? The youtube stream now is "live" but for yesterday, but the clock is exactly 24 hours off

Did you watch the video in which Steve explains the new setup? If not, I suggest you do.

Steve's not exactly a man of few words, but he does eventually say that company policy and FMCSA regulations consider livestreaming from a commercial vehicle in motion to constitute a form of distracted driving, even though he uses a set-it-and-forget-it kind of system.

Which is stupid.  If you're not interacting with it while driving, how can it POSSIBLY be distracted driving?

His assessment was similar.

[TheCleanDemon]

This picture grabbed my interest. For years both Evansville and Henderson, KY have been listed as southbound control cities here. Now it's just Evansville. I'm guessing it's just INDOT standardizing its usage of Evansville as the sole southbound control city. But part of me thinks it might also be Indiana getting back at Kentucky using just Henderson heading north toward the Ohio River.

AIUI, this may have something more to do with the ORX bridge still not being built, although the foundations are beginning to come in place. Using a lesser-known location sounds stupid, because I seriously doubt that the KYTC would've put up Covington back when I-75 was first built, as the larger Cincinnati (in ODOT territory) takes precedence in this instance.

It is likely true that this is the case. 69 doesn't cross the river, so it is plausable they signed Henderson since that is where the interstate ends in Kentucky for now. INDOT has historically not signed smaller places like Henderson as control cities along interestates, so it seems likely removing Henderson in this case is just part of INDOT standarization.

BUT.......I grew up in Western Kentucky pre-Interstate 69 and Evansville wasn't always signed on 41 or the old Pennyrile Parkway either. Henderson/Madisonville/Hopkinsville is just how that corridor was mostly signed for decades. Evansville didn't really appear on any signs until you got to Henderson.

[I-55]

Indiana's control cities can be found in Chapter 502 of the Indiana Design Manual. Worth noting that I-69 has not been updated to include the leg south of Indianapolis, though Evansville is certainly a national control for the I-69 route. Evansville is only a regional control on I-64.

List of National and Regional Control Cities on Page 200 of this document

[Interstate 69 Fan]

More new I-69 signs are up along I-465, just north of the I-74 interchange. I-465 and I-69 north signed for Ft Wayne, primarily near Exit 48.

[mgk920]

More new I-69 signs are up along I-465, just north of the I-74 interchange. I-465 and I-69 north signed for Ft Wayne, primarily near Exit 48.

Are 'I-69/74/465' triplex signs up yet?  Wisconsin will not be alone in that regard then.

Mike

[jhuntin1]

The reassurance shields were all put up several months ago. You can see the triplex the entire way in both directions.

[silverback1065]

the sign got so big for NB 65 they took off Cincinnati and FT Wayne that they took it off and placed that on a sign in front that says CINCINNATI FOLLOW I-465 EB TO I-74, FT WAYNE FOLLOW I-465 TO I-69. I still think they could have fit it but that sign is MASSIVE 

[The Ghostbuster]

A Google Car went through the new Interstate 69 alignment connecting to Interstates 74 and 465 in April: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6865325,-86.1994659,3a,75y,336.33h,89.58t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s9X7NE_eZZXyTX25Cu3LvBg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.4215645580545129%26panoid%3D9X7NE_eZZXyTX25Cu3LvBg%26yaw%3D336.3297056312338!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D. Although they didn't utilize the 74E/465E-to-69S and the 69N-to-69N/74E/465E ramps, as well as the off-ramp to W. Epler Ave. from 69N, I'm sure they will be utilized by another Google Car eventually.

[tdindy88]

the sign got so big for NB 65 they took off Cincinnati and FT Wayne that they took it off and placed that on a sign in front that says CINCINNATI FOLLOW I-465 EB TO I-74, FT WAYNE FOLLOW I-465 TO I-69. I still think they could have fit it but that sign is MASSIVE 

Almost right. The new signs approaching the I-65/I-465 interchange feature Peoria and Fort Wayne only while mentioning the three interstates for both eastbound and westbound directions. They don't mention Cincinnati or Evansville which makes the signs look "interesting." There is a new sign just north of Southport Rd that mentions CINCINNATI FOLLOW I-465 EB to I-74 and EVANSVILLE FOLLOW I-465 WB TO I-69.

I believe the thinking is most traffic heading north on I-65 isn't likely heading toward Cincinnati or Evansville (since you would have been better off getting to either city from Louisville as ControlCityFreak would probably say.) But just in case they still pay lip service to the other two control cities with the auxiliary sign. Nevertheless, at the actual gore point of the exit they still sign both control cities for both I-69 and I-74.

[silverback1065]

the sign got so big for NB 65 they took off Cincinnati and FT Wayne that they took it off and placed that on a sign in front that says CINCINNATI FOLLOW I-465 EB TO I-74, FT WAYNE FOLLOW I-465 TO I-69. I still think they could have fit it but that sign is MASSIVE 

Almost right. The new signs approaching the I-65/I-465 interchange feature Peoria and Fort Wayne only while mentioning the three interstates for both eastbound and westbound directions. They don't mention Cincinnati or Evansville which makes the signs look "interesting." There is a new sign just north of Southport Rd that mentions CINCINNATI FOLLOW I-465 EB to I-74 and EVANSVILLE FOLLOW I-465 WB TO I-69.

I believe the thinking is most traffic heading north on I-65 isn't likely heading toward Cincinnati or Evansville (since you would have been better off getting to either city from Louisville as ControlCityFreak would probably say.) But just in case they still pay lip service to the other two control cities with the auxiliary sign. Nevertheless, at the actual gore point of the exit they still sign both control cities for both I-69 and I-74.

thanks for the correction, was going off memory there

[Henry]

The exits on I-65, I-70 and I-74 coming from Cincinnati have also been updated, although each sign now has an I-69 shield hovering above it.

I-65 NB: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6917709,-86.1048606,3a,15y,345.66h,94.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sCLKthR8W2ICs5WwM1YTViQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-4.774757501882277%26panoid%3DCLKthR8W2ICs5WwM1YTViQ%26yaw%3D345.6578055741825!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
I-65 SB: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.70783,-86.1096432,3a,63y,167.17h,101.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sFj6jZzS-t-Ml1U0JAUsNtw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-11.40603580725832%26panoid%3DFj6jZzS-t-Ml1U0JAUsNtw%26yaw%3D167.17496848517615!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
I-70 EB: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7322934,-86.0343393,3a,20.3y,279.3h,98.52t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sk7XDNfvOoa3gQHhCBBc9Xw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-8.524904242615406%26panoid%3Dk7XDNfvOoa3gQHhCBBc9Xw%26yaw%3D279.2967033161333!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
I-70 WB: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7322934,-86.0343393,3a,20.3y,279.3h,98.52t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sk7XDNfvOoa3gQHhCBBc9Xw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-8.524904242615406%26panoid%3Dk7XDNfvOoa3gQHhCBBc9Xw%26yaw%3D279.2967033161333!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
I-74 WB: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7322934,-86.0343393,3a,20.3y,279.3h,98.52t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sk7XDNfvOoa3gQHhCBBc9Xw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-8.524904242615406%26panoid%3Dk7XDNfvOoa3gQHhCBBc9Xw%26yaw%3D279.2967033161333!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

<cut all the google picture links>

So InDOT went Ohio style with the add-on shields.

[I-55]

<cut all the google picture links>

So InDOT went Ohio style with the add-on shields.

Those signs had been there for almost a year as a temporary measure until the full sign contract could be let. The new signs are going up gradually across 465.

[abqtraveler]

Timelapse video of the drive from Indianapolis International Airport to Fort Wayne on June 6, 2025. Includes the south/east legs of I-465 with the new I-69 South interchange and latest progress on the Clear Path 69/465 project at the I-69 North interchange.

[ITB]

More photos grabbed from the ORX Project website:


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: June 10, 2025
As spring turns to summer, good progress has been made on the Indiana approach to the future I-69 Ohio River bridge; looking north in Vanderburgh County toward the southeast side of Evansville and I-69.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: June 10, 2025
Turning around, the view looking south toward the Ohio River.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: April 1, 2025
From early spring, pouring a pier cap.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: June 10, 2025
Closer look of the construction where I-69 will veer off south from present I-69 toward the future Ohio River bridge.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: May 28, 2025
The view looking northeast. To facilitate construction of the pier foundations, part of the pond has been drained. The piers will be built adjacent to the temporary access roads crossing the pond (see above photo).


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: May 28, 2025
Pier foundation work for the future ramps of the new interchange; looking south.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: April 1, 2025
A cylindrical steel shaft to be lowered into a drilled foundation hole.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: April 1, 2025
Engineers from HNTB on site to make sure everything is as it should be.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: May 19, 2025
Another look at the foundation work for the future interchange ramps; looking south.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: June 10, 2025
Long range view looking north toward I-69 and the south side of Evansville. As almost all of the piers are now sporting their caps, the placement of beams shouldn't be far off. Keep in mind these piers will only carry the southbound lanes. On the other side of the temporary access road, construction of the other set of piers will likely get underway later this summer.