History

Project managers for the I-69 crossing over the Ohio River between Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky have proposed demolishing one or both of the US Highway 41 bridges across the Ohio River and replacing them with a new Interstate 69 bridge.  These bridges are currently the only way for residents of either city to cross the Ohio River to patronize businesses, go to work, or engage in recreation in either state or city.

 

Currently, it is legal for bicycles to traverse the US Highway 41 bridge, however neither Indiana Trails Community nor Evansville Trails Coalition would recommend using the US Highway 41 bridges with the high volume of traffic that utilize these bridges.  With the building of the I-69 bridge, it is important to note that non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians are not allowed on Interstates.  Removing these bridges or converting them to Interstate bridges removes the option for alternative transportation, such as bicycling and hiking.

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Why is it important?

This is important because there are recreation areas on both sides of the river; such as the John James Audubon State Park and Green River State Forest in Kentucky as well as Wesselman Woods and Burdette Park in Indiana.  Both Evansville and Henderson recognize the value of trails and are developing a network of trails in their respective cities.  Additionally, longer trails, such as the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail goes through Evansville, the proposed north-south US Bike Route 37 will go through Evansville and Henderson, and Kentucky’s proposed Ohio Valley Trail, a proposed 430 mile trail in Kentucky’s Master Trail Plan terminates in Henderson.

 

Destroying the current US Highway 41 bridges without building accommodations for alternative transportation excludes an important demographic, cutting off Hoosiers and Kentuckians from hiking and biking opportunities in the local area.

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Are hiking and biking accommodations feasible?

Hiking and biking accommodations have been added to several bridges that cross the Ohio River, including two in the Louisville area and at Madison.  However, there are no safe accommodations for hikers and bikers west of Louisville until Illinois - the nearest being a ferry in Illinois.

 

Hiking and biking accommodations are not only feasible, but they encourage economic development.  Converting the Big Four Bridge from Jeffersonville to Louisville into a hike bike only bridge has contributed significantly to the revitalization of downtown Jeffersonville[1].  It was estimated that rebuilding the Milton-Madison Bridge to include hike and bike accommodations will contribute $152.5 million over the 10 years after it was rebuilt[2].

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In addition to the arguments above, project managers are obligated by law to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.  23 CFR 652.5 states, “The safe accommodation of pedestrians and bicyclists should be given full consideration during the development of Federal-aid highway projects, and during the construction of such projects. The special needs for the elderly and the handicapped shall be considered in all Federal-aid projects that include pedestrian facilities. Where current or anticipated pedestrian and/or bicycle traffic presents a potential conflict with motor vehicle traffic, every effort shall be made to minimize the detrimental effects on all highway users who share the facility. On highways without full control of access where a bridge deck is being replaced or rehabilitated, and where bicycles are permitted to operate at each end, the bridge shall be reconstructed so that bicycles can be safely accommodated when it can be done at a reasonable cost. Consultation with local groups of organized bicyclists is to be encouraged in the development of bicycle projects.”

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The Board Commissioners of Vanderburgh County requested designs for protected pathways

for non-motorized traffic across the Ohio River connecting Evansville with Henderson.  Read

their statement to the right.

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The Adventure Cycling Association has written a letter to the Governors of Indiana and Kentucky

concerning the I-69 crossing of the Ohio River.  Indiana Trails received a copy of it and you can

access it at the link on the right.

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What can I do?

The stakeholders for this project need to know that the community supports bike and hike accommodations to the new bridge project between Evansville and Henderson.  There are several ways you can help out:

 

1. Sign our petition.

2. Sign and send in our postcard.

   1. Available in the April/May edition of Evansville Business​

   2. Available at Evansville Trails Coalition

   3. Available at Bikeworld in Paducah KY

   4. Available at Bike Walk Kentucky

   5. Available at Indiana Trails office

   6. Available at certain bicycle shops in Indianapolis

   7. Seen below

3. Write a letter to your elected officials.

4. Spread the word!

 

[1] https://www.courier-journal.com/story/money/louisville-city-living/2019/05/20/jeffersonville-indiana-big-four-bridge-economic-impact-5-year-anniversary/3665100002/

 

[2] https://www.roundaboutmadison.com/InsidePages/ArchivedArticles/Bridge/Bridge19.html