I-69 ORX Section 3

The I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) Section 3 project is the Indiana approach segment of the future interstate connection between Evansville, Indiana, and Henderson, Kentucky. Valued at $201.7 million, this design-build project is currently under construction and will provide the roadway and bridge infrastructure needed to support the next phase of the ORX program, including the main Ohio River bridge.

Section 3 includes approximately six miles of new interstate roadway, more than 11 miles of total new roadway construction, and three major concrete bridge structures ranging from roughly 1,500 feet to over 4,300 feet in length. The bridges feature long-span prestressed concrete beams—chosen over steel for efficiency and cost effectiveness—measuring up to 188 feet long and ranging from 48 to 72 inches in depth. Together, these structures provide more than 570,000 square feet of bridge deck and form an elevated approach system spanning wetlands, soft soils, and floodplain terrain.

The project also involves extensive embankment and earthwork operations, including placement of approximately 850,000 cubic yards of fill and construction of 820 linear feet of retaining walls. Located entirely within the Ohio River floodplain, the work requires careful planning to address seasonal flooding, challenging subsurface conditions, and limited site access. To maintain progress, the team has implemented proactive flood management measures such as elevated crane pads, raised haul roads, and strategically located laydown areas on higher ground.

Scheduled for completion in late 2026, Section 3 is a critical early phase of this nationally significant corridor, improving regional connectivity while laying the foundation for the future Ohio River crossing.