Delivering the ORX is divided into three sections. The states have signed an initial memorandum of agreement to allow preliminary development and financial planning to move forward for ORX Section 2, the new bridge over the Ohio River.
The four-lane bridge will connect Henderson in Kentucky and Evansville in Indiana. The initial phase of work on the bridge will focus on preliminary engineering services, cost estimates, right-of-way plans, traffic and revenue forecasting and other tasks to support a future bi-state development agreement, a key next step for the project.
The preliminary engineering services include pursuing grant opportunities and other financial planning to identify opportunities to accelerate the project timeline.
A request for proposals (RFP) for engineering services to support the initial phase of the project was posted on 14 March. Responses are due by 5 April, with a consultant expected to be selected by the end of April. Work is anticipated to begin this summer. Both KYTC and INDOT will have representatives on the bi-state management team. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will administer the contract and the states will evenly divide costs, which are expected to be about US$3 million.
Construction of ORX Section 1, the Kentucky approach, started in summer 2022 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. It is being led by KYTC. The design-build contract was awarded in 2021 (link opens in new tab).
Construction of the bi-state ORX Section 2, including the new river crossing, is currently scheduled to begin in 2027 and be complete in 2031.
Section 3, the Indiana approach, is expected to be let this year, with construction beginning in early 2024 for completion in complete in 2026. It is being led by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
