Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[Strider]

I'm curious... based on so many bridge piers built on the photos, is it also the floodplains that I-69 will go across in addition to the Ohio River, or are they dry lands prior to the Ohio River?

[silverback1065]

I'm curious... based on so many bridge piers built on the photos, is it also the floodplains that I-69 will go across in addition to the Ohio River, or are they dry lands prior to the Ohio River?

floodplains

[Rick Powell]

I'm curious... based on so many bridge piers built on the photos, is it also the floodplains that I-69 will go across in addition to the Ohio River, or are they dry lands prior to the Ohio River?

floodplains

In general, there is no reason to build on piers approaching a river unless the land is either in a flood plain, a federally protected wetland, or both, where building on fill would have negative effects on flooding or environmental quality. Roads on structure are typically more expensive to build and maintain.

[abqtraveler]

I'm curious... based on so many bridge piers built on the photos, is it also the floodplains that I-69 will go across in addition to the Ohio River, or are they dry lands prior to the Ohio River?

floodplains

In general, there is no reason to build on piers approaching a river unless the land is either in a flood plain, a federally protected wetland, or both, where building on fill would have negative effects on flooding or environmental quality. Roads on structure are typically more expensive to build and maintain.

Those piers are for the viaducts that will carry I-69 over the Ohio River floodplain. That area in particular is very prone to flooding whenever there is prolonged rainfall or spring snowmelt, so it makes sense to elevate the highway so it's not shut down every spring when the river floods.

[RoadWarrior56]

As an ex-Evansville resident myself and for many subsequent years while my parents still lived there while they were alive, I can agree with the last post.  Waterworks Road, which travels through the Ohio River floodplain on west side of US 41, was and is flooded and closed to traffic numerous years during the late winter and early spring.

[Rick Powell]

Those piers are for the viaducts that will carry I-69 over the Ohio River floodplain. That area in particular is very prone to flooding whenever there is prolonged rainfall or spring snowmelt, so it makes sense to elevate the highway so it's not shut down every spring when the river floods.

It's not so much the potential flooding on the I-69 pavement that requires a bridge section in the floodplain; INDOT could have built the bridge approaches on a high fill far above the potential flood elevation, and probably cheaper than a land bridge. But by doing so, they would likely cause backwater that would endanger the surrounding properties during flood events. Meeting the floodplain permit requirements for design and construction of I-69 was likely the biggest influence on what is being built.

[KelleyCook]

I'm curious... based on so many bridge piers built on the photos, is it also the floodplains that I-69 will go across in addition to the Ohio River, or are they dry lands prior to the Ohio River?

This part of the Ohio has one of the nations larger floodplains.  This was three months ago at the intersection with Green River road a mile and a half east of where the bridge piers were being built.  Its nominally 1.7 miles from the bridge to the "official" bank of the river.

Openstreet map: https://osm.org/go/ZRP0d0tV-



credit: https://103gbfrocks.com/aerial-photos-evansville-flooding/

[Strider]

Alright. Makes sense. Thank you for the response, guys!

[mgk920]

Isn't the south floodplain at that point in the Ohio River entirely in Kentucky?

Mike

[Life in Paradise]

Isn't the south floodplain at that point in the Ohio River entirely in Kentucky?

Mike

Not entirely.  On a Google map, normally along a line of where "Waterworks Road" is in Evansville is a big part of the line.  From the viewpoint of that drone photo, Indiana's ownership goes all the way to the bank, and is actually a few feet in the Ohio River water normally.

[ITB]

Beam setting for the Indiana approach viaduct bridges is beginning this week.

Also, we should be hearing soon about INDOT and KYTC's most recent DOT grant application for the new ORX bridge.

And, finally, here's a news report, with pictures, from late February detailing the flooding in and around the Indiana I-69 work zone in Evansville. 

[ITB]

More photos of the construction of the Indiana approach to the future Ohio River bridge, grabbed from the ORX Project website:


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 18, 2025
Beams are now in place along sections of the southbound viaduct; looking south toward the Ohio River.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 18, 2025
Closer look.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 18, 2025
Turning around, the view looking north. Here an embankment is being built up to support the future I-69 roadways. The process is called loose lift. Another smaller embankment also will be built at the other end of the viaduct. In the mid-background, peaking through gaps in the trees, is I-69.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 18, 2025
Another shot looking north. Work should be getting underway in upcoming months on the pier foundations for the northbound viaduct.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 18, 2025
Foundation work continues for the piers of the viaduct that will carry the southbound I-69 mainline near the future I-69/Veterans Memorial Parkway interchange; looking southwest.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 2025
Setting the beams for the southbound viaduct; looking south.



Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: July 22, 2025
Another perspective of the beam placing work; looking northeast.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: July 22, 2025
Closer look.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 2025
Transport vehicles lined up awaiting beam placement.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 2025
After beam placement; looking slightly northeast.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: August 2025
Closer look, with stacks of deck pans in the foreground.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: July 22, 2025
Beam lift. These long and heavy beams are handled extra carefully.


Credit: I-69 Ohio River Crossing                                                                                                 Photo date: July 22, 2025
Another view.

Guys, a few hours after I posted the pictures I noticed a couple of glaring mistakes in the captions. Seems my thinking cap had earlier slipped off for a moment. I have corrected the errors. Please, if anyone notices a meaningful mistake in any of my posts, please let me know so I can make a correction. Thanks.

[vtk]

Fifth photo, you say "looking northwest". Is that not a view looking southwest?

[Life in Paradise]

I saw the trucks being escorted down I-69 north of Evansville on their way to this destination.  Those I beams are truly lllooonnnggg (long).  They truly needed the police escort on the way.

[ITB]

Fifth photo, you say "looking northwest". Is that not a view looking southwest?

Yup. It is indeed a perspective looking southwest. Nice catch. Thanks.