The group studying possible routes for I-69 between I-64 in Indiana and the Breathitt (Pennyrile) Parkway in Kentucky has narrowed the list of alternatives from ten to three routes. The alternatives, unveiled by Kentucky and Indiana highway agencies, the Evansville Urban Transportation Study, and HNTB, include two routes east of Evansville and one route west of Evansville. The other routes were eliminated because of potential damage to the environment, high costs, and low traffic volumes.

The currently preferred route, Corridor 2 (originally listed as H), would follow I-164 from I-64 to the Green River Road interchange before crossing into Kentucky. This route requires the least new construction, shortest Ohio River bridge, and would divert 55% of the traffic from the US 41 bridges. This route is estimated to cost $580 million.

Another route, Corridor 3 (originally listed as I), would also follow part of I-164 but would cross the river east of Angel Mounds State Park and cost $685 million.

The west side route would start at I-64 east of Poseyville, parallel the Vanderburgh county line, cross the Union Township oxbow, and cross into Kentucky. This would require at east eight miles of elevated roadway to cross the oxbow floodplain. This route, Corridor 1 (originally listed as J), would cost $959 million.

The study will now move into the next phase: a draft environmental impact statement is expected early next year.

In Kentucky, I-69 will use existing parkways. Upgrading these parkways to Interstate standards will take ten years or more.

More information: MyInKy.com: I-69 route options narrowed to 3 (June 20, 2002) , Messenger-Inquirer: 2 routes closer to Owensboro among I-69 finalists (June 20, 2002) , MyInKy.com: West I-69 route called key for port (June 21, 2002) , MyInKy.com: I-69 routes in city cut to 3 (June 20, 2002)