A group working toward an I-69 bridge connecting Evansville and Henderson says it’s making progress on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Mindy Peterson of I-69 Ohio River Crossing – or ORX – told reporters the group has gathered a tremendous amount of information and expects to deliver more during open houses in early February…
("We're talking about much more information regarding right-of-way, bridge configuration, cost, funding.")
Dan Prevost is the environmental lead for ORX. He said a navigation analysis has been performed and passed on to the Coast Guard…
("And preliminarily they've said either a single navigation span or a two navigation span arrangement could work.")
In July, the group narrowed the number of potential bridge corridors to 3, with a central corridor just east of the existing U.S. 41 Twin Bridges favored among elected officials.
Prevost would not say which of the 3 corridors presents the fewest environmental issues…
("They each have their own set of challenges." "They all have about the same amount of challenges?" "They all have different potential impacts, depending on the resources you're talking about." )
Prevost also said tolling is not a foregone conclusion on a new bridge or on the Twin Bridges, if they remain.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is due next fall. A final statement and decision is expected in fall 2019.