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I-69 Bridge Estimate Cut by $600 Million

Bridgelink, via Facebook

A new proposal for a bridge linking Henderson, Ky. and Evansville, Ind. as part of the ongoing I-69 project cuts more than $600 million from its previous estimate.

Henderson Mayor Steve Austin is among officials from both cities making up the group Bridgelink.  He says an earlier estimate from the state indicated a new interstate bridge over the Ohio River would cost $1.4 billion, but Bridgelink arrived at a different number after looking at a similar St. Louis bridge.

“We put a lot of information together, based on facts, and it came back that it looks like a similar bridge to what is over I-70 in St. Louis could be built for under $800 million in 2019 dollars," Austin said.

Austin said over the last month the plan has been presented to transportation officials from both states. Federal lawmakers - including Rep. Ed Whitfield and Sen. Mitch McConnell - say they'd try to free up funds for the project, but Austin said even with the $600 million in projected savings, funding will be hard to come by.

The plan is now under review from both state governments.

John Null is the host and creator of Left of the Dial. From 2013-2016, he also served as a reporter in the WKMS newsroom.
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