Interstate 69 in Indiana
The original plan (in a DEIS prepared by INDOT in 2004, but later dropped) was for I-69 to leave the now-former I-164 alignment somewhere just east of Green River Road (exit 3) and head south (instead of turning west with I-164) for approximately before crossing the Ohio at a point near the mouth of the Green River. This portion of the route had not then been funded, as construction of the new Ohio River crossing and its approaches in both states was expected to cost approximately $800 million. Indiana and Kentucky officials had said construction on the new Ohio River Bridge would not begin until at least 2020, after two new crossings near Louisville were completed. With Indiana then preparing to break ground on SIU 3, Kentucky officials indicated that collecting tolls might be the only feasible option for completing the I-69 bridge, as traditional federal and state funding for such projects were drying up. , neither Kentucky nor Indiana officials had yet come up with the money to plan and construct this I-69 bridge.
Interstate 69 Ohio River Bridge
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Ohio River Crossing was published on December 14, 2018, which selected Central Corridor 1 as the preferred alternative. The estimated cost to complete the segment is around $1.5 billion, which will be at least partially funded with tolls. The Final EIS and Record of Decision are expected to be released by the end of 2019. Subject to the availability of funding, construction on the bridge may begin in 2021, with completion in 2025. Management of the bridge's construction and operations is still under discussion. One option is for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to jointly manage construction and operation of the bridge. Also being discussed is the formation of a bi-state Bridge Authority to oversee the construction and operations of the I-69 ORX.