Gov. Beshear breaks ground on I-69 Ohio River crossing in Henderson
HENDERSON, Ky. (WFIE) - Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear visited the Tri-State on Wednesday for the groundbreaking of the I-69 crossing that will eventually connect Henderson and Evansville.
A crowd gathered at an empty area outside of Henderson where big changes are on the way.
“Western Kentucky is going to have every infrastructure piece to compete with any other part of Kentucky or America,” said Beshear.
Governor Beshear, joined by local officials, including the mayors of Henderson and Evansville, broke ground on what they say will be the last piece of the I-69 corridor that will run through Indianapolis. This comes on the heels of a wave of economic growth for the state.
Governor Beshear pointed to the recent $6 million investment of Pratt Paper in the area, as well as $11.2 billion of private sector investment in the state last year, along with 18,000 new jobs.
“I have never seen this region of Kentucky more on fire than it is today,” said Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray.
The project has been in the work for several years, and local officials say they’re excited about all the benefits it will bring, including relief on local traffic.
Governor Beshear says once the project is completed, western Kentucky will be within a one-day drive of 60 percent of the country’s population, making it a more appealing destination for businesses.
“I can’t wait for the groundbreakings on new, great jobs that we will have here, and I gotta tell you, interest will pick up even more from where it is with this groundbreaking today and the commitment that all these companies can see that we are making to this region,” said Beshear.
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Officials say work will start soon and the six-mile stretch of interstate should be completed by 2025. They say the entire project, including a new bridge, should be completed around 2030 or 2031.
Click here to find more information on the project.
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