The Ohio River Crossing of Interstate-69 between Indiana and Kentucky is a project long in the works.  It is a key component of a highway that will span from Canada to Mexico to boost trade between the major North American countries.  

The crossing will be made in the Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky area (population 300,000) where currently the U.S. Highway 41 bridges are the only way between these communities and are unsafe for bicyclists and pedestrians.  The US. Highway bridges were built in 1932 and 1965 in the “gap years” between pedestrian bridges of over a hundred years ago and at the advent of car-centric bridge designs of recent decades.

The new I-69 structure will present an opportunity to provide a protected pathway for the disabled in our community (5,273 in Henderson, 17,838 in Evansville) and those without cars (1,603 in Henderson, 5,718 in Evansville).  Not to mention–a safe, separated, protected pathway would be enjoyed by those who love to hike, bike, jog, and use wheelchairs among other things.  

Ultimately, this would better the lives of citizens in the region as parks and points of interest draw visitors; jobs in Evansville would become more accessible to those living in Henderson (and vice versa), as well as creating a pathway across the river for long-distance trails and bicycle routes such as the planned U.S. Bike Route #37, which will connect to the American Discovery Trail.

However, in the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, no accommodations for anything other than automobiles are being made for this crossing.  Worse yet, the project intends to demolish one of the historic U.S. Highway 41 bridges to save costs on maintenance, while retaining the remaining bridge for autos only.

We ask that the Governors of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, and Indiana, Eric Holcomb, ensure the construction of a safe, separated, protected pathway between Evansville and Henderson that will accommodate the disabled, those without cars, hikers, cyclists, joggers, tourists and others.  

We expect Evansville-Henderson to join the dozens of locations up and down the Ohio River and Mississippi River valleys that already have safe accommodations for non-motorized citizen travel.

Please sign our petition and/or contact the office of Governor Beshear (502) 564-2611 and Governor Holcomb (317) 232-4567.

THANK YOU!