(Picture of the ORX Section 1 groundbreaking in December 2022)
Governor Andy Beshear, transportation officials, and local leaders held a ribbon-cutting on Monday to mark the completion of Section 1 of the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing and the opening of nearly two and a half miles of new road (KY Route 3690) in Henderson.
The event included a walk on the new road as part of a community celebration that followed. Kentucky Route 3690. Officials said the ORX Section 1 project will improve travel times and reduce traffic, moving Kentucky closer to building a new interstate bridge connecting Henderson and Evansville.
The ribbon cutting signifies the major completion of road and bridge upgrades in Henderson, with only minor work left through early 2026. Section 1 features a six-mile extension of Interstate 69, nine new bridges, seven rehabilitated bridges, and a reconstructed Kentucky Route 351 interchange, and new interchanges to U.S. 41 and U.S. 60.
Governor Beshear, along with Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider, Henderson Mayor Brad Staton, Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry, and other officials, spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
By Monday, November 10, officials expect the project’s final three major components to open to traffic, delivering important upgrades to the I-69 corridor and enhancing travel efficiency and safety. These include:
New KY 3690 (Future I-69) roadway
New U.S. Route 60 interchange in final configuration
New U.S. Route 41 interchange in full operation
They noted two additional ramps will open to facilitate movement from the new roadway (KY 3690) to U.S. 41.
A three-mile stretch of U.S. 41 has been upgraded to interstate standards and is now designated as Interstate 69 between the Kentucky Route 425 and U.S. 41 interchanges. New interstate signs have also been installed along the route.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet managed Section 1 of the ORX project, awarded under a $158 million contract to the Ragle Inc. and Stantec Consulting Services team. Construction began in the fall of 2022 and is wrapping up on time and within budget.
