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I-69 Ohio River Crossing – Completing the Connection

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Indiana and Kentucky are committed to improving the I-69 corridor by creating an I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) between Evansville and Henderson.
Once complete, the project will provide cross-river connectivity between I-69 in Indiana and I-69 in Kentucky, address long-term cross-river mobility, reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

Community Conversations to Discuss I-69 Ohio River Crossing

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Residents can ask questions and provide written comments

Two Community Conversations are scheduled this week to provide information and gather input on the preferred alternatives for the proposed I-69 Ohio River Crossing (I-69 ORX).  Both Community Conversations will include a project presentation and discussion with attendees.

Henderson Community Conversation
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Housing Authority of Henderson
111 S. Adams St.

Evansville Community Conversation
Thursday, Jan. 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Central Branch, EVPL, Browning Event Room B
200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The Project Team will present information about the project at 6 p.m. A discussion with attendees and Project Team members will follow. Various maps and boards will also be available for review. The Community Conversations are a chance to learn more about the preferred alternatives, financing and funding for the project and next steps. Attendees can submit written comments to the Project Team.

Public and agency comments on the DEIS will be accepted through Feb. 8, 2019. The DEIS is posted on the project website (I69ohiorivercrossing.com) and is available for review at several locations in the area.

In addition to participation in this month’s public hearings and Community Conversations, comments can be received through the “Contact Us” page on the project website, by email (info@I69ohiorivercrossing.com), by mail or in person at an I-69 ORX project office.

During the comment period, the Henderson office is staffed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the Evansville office is staffed Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

After considering all comments, the states will confirm the preferred alternative in the FEIS. Final approval of the preferred alternative will come from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the issuance of a Record of Decision. The ROD is expected in late 2019.

Preferred Alternatives

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released in December identifies two preferred alternatives: Central Alternative 1A and Central Alternative 1B. The route, bridge location and lane configurations are identical for the two alternatives. Both include a 4-lane I-69 bridge and retain one US 41 bridge.

The tolling options are the only difference between the two alternatives. Central Alternative 1A would toll both the I-69 bridge and the remaining US 41 bridge. Central Alternative 1B would toll only the I-69 bridge.

I-69 Ohio River Crossing Update

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The first round of public hearings have taken place in Henderson, KY and Evansville, IN. There is wide support for the recommended corridor, keeping both existing bridges without tolls imposed.

The next round of public hearings occur at the end of January. Join Project Team leaders to discuss the preferred alternatives for a new I-69 Ohio River Crossing. They want to hear what you think.

Wednesday, January 23
Housing Authority of Henderson
111 S. Adams St., Henderson, KY
5:30 – 7:30 pm; Presentation at 6 pm

Thursday, January 24
Central Branch EVPL, Browning Event Room B
200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Evansville, IN
5:30 – 7:30 pm; Presentation at 6 pm

Public comment period continues thru February 8. Comments can be made at public meetings, online at www.I69ohiorivercrossing.com, or email at info@I69ohiorivercrossing.com. Question, contact the project team at: (888) 515-9756 or info@I69ohiorivercrossing.com.

From courierpress.com
Henderson residents, Evansville mayor to I-69 project team: Leave U.S. 41 bridges alone

Evansville business execs to I-69 project team: Keep U.S. 41 bridges open, toll free

From 14news.com
I-69 Ohio River Crossing meeting in Evansville voices similar concerns

Good news! Important steps have been made in the I-69 Ohio River Bridge Crossing

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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) have completed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) project in the Evansville, IN and Henderson, KY area and have published its Notice of Availability for public comments in the Federal Register on December 14, 2018 (LINK).

The DEIS is available for your review and comment on the project website at https://i69ohiorivercrossing.com/DEIS. Please submit your comments via the project email at info@i69ohiorivercrossing.com or to the project office listed below by February 8, 2019.

Evansville Project Office
320 Eagle Crest Drive Suite C
Evansville, IN 47715
Phone: 888-515-9756

The Public Hearings for the I-69 ORX project will be held at the following locations and times:

Henderson – January 7, 2019
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Central Time)
Henderson Community College
Preston Arts Center
2660 South Green Street
Henderson, KY 42420

Evansville – January 8, 2019
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Central Time)
Old National Events Plaza
Locust Meeting Room
715 Locust Street
Evansville, IN 47708

BridgeLink I-69 Ohio River Bridge Announcement

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The Board of Directors of BridgeLink commends the recommendation of Central Corridor 1 for the placement of a new I-69 bridge. This location is proven to be the best location for economic development, cross river mobility, ease of traffic congestion, and minimal negative local impacts.

BridgeLink Chair Robert Koch said, “A new I-69 bridge is critical to the success of I-69 corridor, through Indiana, Kentucky, and nationwide.  Our two states have been leaders in the effort to construct a completed national corridor.”

Central Alternative 1 includes a 4-lane I-69 bridge and retains the northbound US 41 bridge for local traffic. It includes new interchanges at US 41 (south end), US 60 and Veterans Memorial Parkway.  BridgeLink will continue to advocate to keep both US41 spans open to traffic.

The recommendation has two alternatives that the States could pursue: Central Alternative 1A includes tolls on both the new I-69 bridge and the US41 bridge, while Central Alternative 1B only tolls the new I-69 bridge.

While the state DOT’s study indicates that tolling will likely be necessary to pay for the new I-69 bridge, the members of BridgeLink will work diligently to keep the US 41 bridges free for local traffic.

Mayor Steve Austin of Henderson said, “Keeping US 41 toll-free for our local traffic is imperative to the success of our people and businesses.  I-69 is a true benefit for our communities when the project recognizes the difference in interstate and local traffic.”

The states of Indiana and Kentucky have worked very hard to make the I-69 river crossing a reality, and the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement by our two state departments of transportation is a critical step required to move to construction of this important link.

According to the joint Indiana-Kentucky studies of the need for the bridge, the location of the existing bridges is home to several high-crash locations.  In addition, studies found that the existing infrastructure “strains to efficiently handle the cross-river volume of traffic”.  With the construction of the new I-69 bridge, we will have relief from the safety issues and prevalent congestion found around the US41 bridges.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winneke said, “The construction of this bridge is vital to Evansville and our future. We have seen improved connectivity to the rest of the state with the construction of I-69, and this cross river mobility will open our connectivity to the south.”

Henderson County Judge-executive Brad Schneider agreed, saying, “Henderson and all of western Kentucky will see tremendous benefit with this new bridge, and I thank the states for their commitment to see its construction.”

With the approval of the Central Corridor 1 alignment, our communities will see the benefit of a new bridge without the cost of up to 306 homes and businesses displaced.  Central Corridor 1 provides the best of all worlds for our area, and impacts will be seen immediately.

BridgeLink will participate in the Public Hearings scheduled in January 2019. The schedule is:

• January 7, 2019 at the Henderson Community College

• January 8, 2019 at the Old National Events Plaza, Locust Meeting Rooms

Members of the public are invited to provide testimony in support of the route and the prompt construction of the I-69 Bridge.

The Final Environmental Impact Study is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019, and construction could begin within several years after.

BridgeLink is an advocacy group comprised of elected, civic and business leaders in Southwest Indiana and Western Kentucky who are committed to the construction of the I-69 Bridge between Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky.

CATEGORIES

Governors Pence, Bevin announce MOU agreement to begin the I-69 bridge project

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At a press conference today in Henderson, KY, Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin announced and signed a Memo of Understanding to begin the I-69 bridge project. “Effective today, we will initiate both the study and design of a new bridge for I-69 over the mighty Ohio River,” said Governor Pence at a standing room only press conference.

In a press release sent out by the Indiana Department of Transportation, both Governors shared these thoughts. “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.”

Governor Bevin added, “I-69 is opening up Western Kentucky like never before. 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.”

This is a monumental announcement as this critical infrastructure project now moves closer to becoming a reality. The Request for Proposals for the Environmental Impact Study will be released in the coming months. For more information about the project from the Indiana Department of Transportation, visit www.I69Crossing.indot.in.gov.

 

69 BridgeLink Commends KY Governor Matt Bevin and KY General Assembly For Critical Funding in 2016 Legislative Session

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 (Henderson, KY)- The Board of Directors for 69 BridgeLink commend the leadership and support for the I-69 bridge project by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and the Kentucky General Assembly during the 2016 legislative session.

The passage of HB 309 will allow Public-Private Partnership (P3) financing in the Commonwealth. A P3 allows the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) a critical new financing tool to begin to build this critical piece of infrastructure.

The bold actions of the Governor and Legislature to invest $28.8 million in pre-construction funding for the I-69 bridge found in the Commonwealth’s transportation budget over the next three years will prove to expedite the economic development and prosperity for Western Kentucky and Southwest Indiana. Here is a breakdown of the funding:

FY ’16- Planning/Environmental work: $2.8 million

FY ’17- Design work: $6.0 million

FY ’18- Right of Way work: $20.0 million

With an eye to the future, the General Assembly also included another $15 million for utility work in their recommendation for later years.

“The priorities laid out in the Kentucky legislature are so important to moving this project forward,” said BridgeLink Chairman Bob Koch. “$28.8 million in funding is a huge commitment by Governor Bevin and the Kentucky Legislature. We applaud their leadership and vision for this project. We will continue to work with Governor Mike Pence, the Indiana General Assembly, and INDOT to secure adequate funding from Indiana to continue our momentum to completing this project.”

Background: On October 14, 2013, the Southwest Indiana Chamber, Kyndle, and the mayors of both Evansville and Henderson announced the creation a non-profit advocacy group, BridgeLink, whose sole focus is to advocate for the building of a new interstate bridge linking I-69. BridgeLink’s mission is to advocate for the construction of a new tolled Interstate 69 bridge by no later than 2020 and preservation of an untolled route across the river for local residents. For more information please visit www.69bridgelink.com.

Southwest Indiana Chamber hosts Transportation Funding Event

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On Monday, August 17, the Southwest Indiana Chamber hosted an event focusing on the future of transportation funding. Much of the event focused on local projects, including the I-69 bridge. See coverage below:

http://www.courierpress.com/news/i69/i69-bridge-could-help-perception-issue-for-evansville_72709575

After the event, the Evansville Courier & Press ran an editorial in it’s Sunday, August 23 paper, further highlighting the need for a new I-69 bridge:

http://www.courierpress.com/opinion/editorials/vision-that-brought-i69-can-build-bridge_08517589

For more information, please contact Justin Groenert, Executive Director, at jgroenert@swinchamber.com.

Southwest Regional Logistics Council includes I-69 bridge in long range plans

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The Conexus Indiana Southwest Regional Logistics Council (SWRLC) released its regional logistics strategic plan on Monday, June 15, at the Southwest Indiana Chamber offices. This plan details long-term infrastructure, public policy and talent development priorities to grow the logistics industry and the economy in the 18-county region.

BridgeLink is proud to have the I-69 bridge names as a tier one project.

For more information, please click this link: https://conexusindiana.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/southwest-regional-logistics-council-unveils-first-ever-plan-to-strengthen-southwest-indianas-logistics-industry/

 

HB 1036 heads to Governor’s Desk

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The Indiana Senate passed a key piece of legislation that will allow transportation officials to decide the best route for I-69 into Indianapolis. HB 1036, authored by Rep. John Price (HD 47) and Sen. Rod Bray (SD 37), passed with a vote of 31-19. The bill will now move to Governor Mike Pence’s desk.

HB 1036 removed language from Indiana’s Major Moves legislation that required legislative approval for use of the Indiana-37 corridor. Currently, I-69 is running up the I-37 corridor from Bloomington, IN to Martinsville, IN.

Key partners, including BridgeLink, Hoosier Voices for I-69, the Southwest Indiana Chamber, the Indiana Chamber, and various local Chambers up and down the I-69 corridor, advocated for his piece of legislation.

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is currently working on the development of Section 6, the final leg of I-69 from Evansville to Indianapolis. HB 1036 will allow transportation officials to make the best economic and environmental choice in where to route this final leg of I-69 into Indianapolis.

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