AASHTO Journal - KYTC Hosts Ohio River Crossing Section 1 Celebration

Governor Andy Beshear (D) (above) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 3 to celebrate completion of Section 1 of the I-69 Ohio River Crossing or ORX project and the opening of a nearly two-and-half-mile section of new roadway – KY Route 3690 – in Henderson, KY.

[Above photo by KYTC]

By November 10, the final three major elements of the $158 million ORX Section 1 project are expected to open to traffic, providing vital upgrades to the I-69 corridor and new connections that will expedite travel times and improve safety.

The ribbon cutting marks substantial completion of infrastructure upgrades on approach roadways and bridges in Henderson, with work on a few smaller items set to wrap up early 2026.

The ORX Section 1 project includes a six-mile extension of I-69, nine new bridges, seven rehabilitated bridges, a reconstructed KY Route 351 interchange, and new interchanges at U.S. 41 and U.S. 60.

The KYTC added that this project brings the state one step closer to fulfilling a major infrastructure priority for the governor: building a new interstate bridge connecting Henderson and Evansville, IN.

“As we mark the end of construction in Henderson, we also mark a significant step in completing what will be a generational project for Western Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear in a statement. “The new I-69 bridge will not only ease traffic and improve safety for Kentuckians and visitors alike; it will also bring jobs and investments that strengthen all of Kentucky, which is why I’m so excited by the progress that we are making.”

“I’m proud to mark the completion of this important approach work in Kentucky,” added KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “We know how essential the connectivity that the future I-69 bridge will bring for the entire region. I’m excited to mark this milestone with a community celebration for the residents of Henderson, who have extended patience to the men and women building ORX Section 1. This is our chance to say thank you.”

The agency noted that Section 2 of the ORX project is a bi-state effort between Kentucky and Indiana that includes the new river crossing. A contractor is expected to be identified by late 2026, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and be complete in 2031.

Section 3 of the ORX project includes some of the approach roadways and bridges in Indiana and is being spearheaded by the Indiana Department of Transportation. Construction started in the fall of 2024 and should wrap up in late 2026.