Preferred I-69 Ohio River Crossing Route Could Come Soon
Former Governor Mike Pence and Governor Matt Bevin (pictured left-to-right in foreground) signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of their respective states along with state and local leaders last July.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana and Kentucky officials working on a planned extension of I-69 over the Ohio River in southwest Indiana say the process continues to move toward key early milestones. The I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project Team still expects a preferred alternative route to be identified in the fall. The Indiana Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet add a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will also be published in the coming weeks.
Additional surveying and field work is being conducted throughout the region, including visual property inspections, measurements, soil samples and environmental analyses such as bat and mussel surveys and wetland delineation. More than 700 property owners have been notified by mail about potential research activity on their property.
The DEIS document will include maps, technical reports and supporting information to summarize the findings of the work that went into the selection of the preferred alternative and detail potential impacts. Once released, public hearings and a formal comment period will be held in Kentucky and Indiana to discuss the results.
The project will be funded through sources including toll-backed financing, traditional means and grants. Final details of how tolling will be handled will not be released until construction is set to begin. Other steps including the DEIS, the Final Environmental Impact Statement or Record of Decision must take place first. The latter two are not expected until late next year.
You can connect to more about the project and see the DEIS when it’s published by clicking here.