Local News

Pence, Bevin sign deal to move forward on I-69 bridge

WNIN | By John Gibson

Published June 30, 2016 at 3:50 PM CDT

The governors of Indiana and Kentucky have pledged to move forward on an I-69 bridge connecting Evansville and Henderson.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin told a gathering at Ellis Park that they’re ready to expedite the bridge project.

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When the public officials of two states come together for an announcement, and that announcement takes on the border, the verbal jabs can fly. Here's a more humorous take on Thursday's event. (Music courtesy of Town Mountain's performance at this year's ROMP festival)

Pence announced that the two governors are signing an important agreement, one that will expedite environmental and design studies.

Pence also announced that INDOT will be the lead agency, with Kentucky a full partner.

The group BridgeLink estimates the cost of the project at $850 million.

It will be a four-lane bridge with "modest tolls."

Original cost estimates for a six-lane bridge were $1.4 billion.

The new plan would require fewer miles of approach and fewer interchanges – as well as fewer lanes.

Both governors pledged to keep the existing Twin Bridges for local traffic.

Officials say the Twin Bridges carry at least 40,000 vehicles a day.

Here's another version of the story:

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