It’s official: a portion of the Pennyrile Parkway has been renamed Interstate 69.
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear rebranded the Pennyrile between Henderson and southern Hopkins County as I-69, during a ceremony in Madisonville Monday.
The designation means Henderson is on an interstate for the first time, something that economic development agencies will emphasize when trying to attract industries.
Construction crews continue to work on the highway, bringing it up to interstate standards. Lane restrictions are in place in parts of Henderson and Webster counties.
Meantime, the effort to find money for an I-69 bridge between Evansville and Henderson continues.
Some officials have proposed a toll bridge that would be built east of the existing Twin Bridges.
Sen. Vaneta Becker of Evansville has said she would like to see a completed toll road study before reaching a decision on using tolls to pay for the bridge.
She says a toll bridge should be a “last resort option."