KENTUCKY (WFIE) -
The push to finish I-69 became even more urgent on Tuesday with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Officials explaining what it's going to take to complete the interstate.
Officials say when the I-69 project is finished, it'll stretch all the way form Michigan down to Texas.
Henderson Chamber of Commerce President Brad Schneider says the completion of I-69 is closer than you might think.
"It's really happening quickly in Kentucky and Indiana maybe more than people realize. Indiana is building it as fast as they can. They'll have 70 miles built before the end of the year is over. Kentucky's already has I-69 shields on 59 miles of the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-24," Schneider said.
So far, 11 upgrade projects have been approved in Kentucky's two year road plan, changing parkways to interstate status, and improving the surfaces like the Audubon Parkway from Owensboro to Henderson.
"Right now they're parkways. There not interstates so there's a difference. You can't just go out and throw the shield out," said Kevin McClearn with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
"We know the parkways are very close to interstate, but if you're from Wisconsin or you're from Florida, you don't know what a parkway is," Schneider said. "A lot of times they think they're like scenic little two lane roads. That interstate shield. Everybody knows what that means all across the county. Means you have high spend limited access four lane roads."
After upgrading the roads, another big challenge is crossing the Ohio River from Indiana to Kentucky.
"Obviously the thought is that would take another bridge. Can you put it on existing bridges? Probably very doubtful," McClearn said.
Economic leaders say having an interstate coming right through northwestern Kentucky would benefit everybody.
"It's big for any economic development having interstate access is a big step up," Schneider said.
If all the funding comes into place, you're looking at the entire project to be finished within 20 to 30 years.
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Officials say when the I-69 project is finished, it'll stretch all the way form Michigan down to Texas.
