Will You Pay the Tolls to Use the I-69 ORX Bridge that Links Indiana and Kentucky When It’s Built? [POLL]

Construction in the Tri-State: A Familiar Sight

We live in Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky, so construction is nothing new, and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Progress to maintain infrastructure or create new roads for safer, more efficient travel is usually worth the temporary pain of traffic delays.

If you've driven on the south side of Evansville recently, you've probably noticed some construction starting to take shape, but it's still in the early stages.

What Is the I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project?

Crews have begun work on the new I-69 bridge project that will connect Henderson, KY, and Evansville, IN. The I-69 Ohio River Crossing (I-69 ORX) includes a new four-lane river crossing and 11.2 miles of new interstate, 8.4 miles on new terrain and 2.8 miles of upgrades to U.S. 41.

From the start, the project was expected to cost around $1.5 billion, and to help fund it, it was decided that the new bridge would be a toll bridge unless other funding or financing options that allow the removal of tolls are approved.

Read More: Are Indiana Governor Mike Braun and INDOT Really Shaking Down Hoosiers for Toll Fees?

Will the Existing U.S. 41 Bridges Stay Open?

Back in 2018, when the project was just getting off the ground, an advocacy group called BridgeLink, made up of political and business leaders from Evansville, Henderson, and nearby communities, pushed for both the northbound and southbound U.S. 41 twin bridges to stay open for local traffic.

According to i69ohiorivercrossing.com, the northbound U.S. 41 bridge, which opened in 1932, will remain open with two-way traffic and will not be tolled.

Since 2005, Indiana and Kentucky have spent more than $50 million on maintaining the U.S. 41 bridges, and it’s estimated that it would cost $293 million to keep both bridges maintained through 2062.

The website also mentions that local governments are open to keeping the southbound bridge open, but only if a group or agency steps up to take responsibility for maintaining and preserving it to use for bike or pedestrian access.

Get our free mobile app

Petition Gaining Support to Stop the I-69 Bridge Tolls

Not everyone is in favor of tolling on the new bridge. A Change.org petition launched in April is currently gaining traction. According to the petition:

“A tolling vendor is already being explored and final decisions are approaching. If we don’t act now, tolls could become locked in for decades. People overwhelmingly oppose tolls on roads funded by their own tax dollars, and with Evansville being a tax-exporting region, we already contribute more to state revenue than we get back. Let’s not be charged twice. Sign this petition to stop tolls and keep travel accessible and fair for everyone in our region.”

Read More: Forecasters Say Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois Will Probably Dodge the Summer’s Big Disaster

Legislative Update: Kentucky House Overrides Veto on Tolls

While Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear vetoed portions of House Bill 546, which included plans to impose tolls, the Kentucky House and Senate overrode the veto, passing the bill with a vote of 77–16. The i69ohiorivercrossing.com website states that, "The combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision approved by the Federal Highway Administration in September 2021 identified Central Alternative 1B Modified as the Selected Alternative. It includes tolling the new I-69 bridge. Should the States find other funding or financing options that allow the removal of tolls, the FEIS/ROD would require updating."

Construction Timeline for the I-69 Bridge Project

Here’s a breakdown of the current construction timeline:

Section 1 in Kentucky: Construction began in summer 2022 and is expected to be complete by late 2025. Section 3 in Indiana: Construction started in late 2024 and should wrap up by late 2026. The new I-69 bridge itself: Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and finish by 2031. So, there's still a lot of time. Anything could happen between now and then.

What Will the Tolls Cost?

I reached out to the I-69 project office to ask about the proposed toll rates, but I've not heard back yet. My hunch is that no official poll rates have been released yet.

For reference, the RiverLink toll rates for bridges connecting Southern Indiana and Louisville currently start at $2.61 for a two-axle vehicle under 7.5 feet with a prepaid account and transponder. Rates go up to $15.61 for semi-trucks paying by mail. These rates are valid through June 30, 2025.