Advances engineering services and financial planning for I-69 Ohio River Crossing

A bi-state agreement between Indiana and Kentucky means the I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) that will connect Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky is a step closer to reality. 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 river crossing. “The Crossroads of America is more than a motto for Indiana. It’s a mission,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “That’s why it’s so important to see this generational project progressing forward. Our goal is to improve connectivity for all Hoosiers, and we know strong infrastructure puts us in an even stronger position for economic development and continued successes. Connecting our states will improve the region and make a difference for Hoosiers for decades to come.”

ORX Section 2 Initial Phase

This initial phase of the project will focus on preliminary engineering services, cost estimates, right-of-way plans, traffic and revenue forecasting, and other services to support a future Bi-State Development Agreement for ORX Section 2, a key next step for the project.

“Completing this important interstate connection has been a top priority for my administration,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This agreement is a critical first step that will move us closer to construction. Bridging communities brings states together, and it opens the door to new economic opportunities. That’s why it’s so gratifying to see momentum on another Ohio River crossing in our state. Two transformational projects are moving forward with the Brent Spence companion bridge in northern Kentucky and now ORX in western Kentucky.”

The preliminary engineering services include pursuing grant opportunities and other financial planning to identify opportunities to accelerate the project timeline.

A request for proposal (RFP) for engineering services to support the initial phase of the project was posted March 14. Responses are due April 5 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. KYTC will administer the contract and the states will evenly divide costs for the project. Those costs are expected to be around $3 million.

ORX: Delivering a Mega-Project

 I-69 ORX is divided into three sections for project delivery. Construction on ORX Section 1, the Kentucky approach, started in summer 2022 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. It’s being led by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).

ORX Section 2 is a bi-state project that includes the new river crossing. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2027 and be complete in 2031. Opportunities will be explored to accelerate the project.

ORX Section 3, the Indiana approach, is expected to let this fall with construction expected to begin in early 2024. Work is expected to be complete in 2026. It’s being led by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

Thursday morning, March 30, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Trooper Roberts was patrolling US 41 when he attempted to stop the driver of a 2020 Chevrolet SUV for driving 90 mph near CR 725 North.

The driver failed to stop and continued north reaching speeds over 100 mph before entering Knox County and turning east onto Hazelton Road.  

The driver approached a dead-end near Dicksburgh Hills Road, turned around to drive back west, and nearly struck Trooper Roberts’ vehicle.

The driver of the Chevrolet SUV continued west, crossed US 41 then west on McCrary Road before traveling on a few county roads eventually traveling north on Decker Chapel Road and then south on US 41reaching speeds over 100 mph. The driver of the SUV then turned west onto CR 550 North in Gibson County where Trooper Roberts lost sight of the vehicle near CR 150 West. 

Trooper Roberts and other officers continued to patrol the area looking for the vehicle. Minutes later, Trooper Roberts located the vehicle parked down a long driveway that led to a heavily wooded area and field. The passenger of the SUV, Jadie Jordan, 36, of Mt. Vernon, IL, was detained.

The driver fled on foot before officers arrived. Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Linenburg and his K-9 partner, Blast, arrived and searched the area. The Vincennes Township Fire Department also responded and utilized their drone with thermal imaging capabilities, but the driver was never located, and officers disregarded the search.  

When officers searched the vehicle, they found a small amount of marijuana. Jordan was arrested for possession of marijuana and transported to the Gibson County Jail. A wanted check on the vehicle revealed it had been reported stolen out of Centralia, IL.

At approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning, Gibson County Sheriff’s Office received a call reference to a female walking in the area where the suspect vehicle from the chase was located. The female was identified as Alexis Fairchild, 20, of Salem, IL.  After a brief on-scene investigation, Fairchild was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where she is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Alexis D. Fairchild, 20, Salem, IL

1. Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
3. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
4. Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor

• Jadie N. Jordan, 36, Mt. Vernon, IL

1. Possession of Marijuana, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Doug Roberts, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Trooper CJ Boeckman, Sgt. Bill Gadberry, Master Trooper Matt Lockridge, and Trooper Lee, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agencies: Princeton Police, Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and Vincennes Twp. Fire Department.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dave O’Mara Inc. plans to begin work next week on State Road 56 between Ferry Street and First Street in downtown Madison.

Beginning on or after Monday, April 3, S.R. 56 will be reduced to one lane in each direction controlled by temporary traffic signals to allow crews to complete a small structure replacement.

Access to S.R. 56 from Ferry Street and First Street is expected to be closed for approximately 60 days, weather permitting.

Christen Allen Wright, 38 of Phoenix Arizona, has been arrested for a felony warrant out of Maricopa County Arizona.

The warrant included charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Molestation of a Child, and three counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, all Class 2 Felonies.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Detectve Division, in cooperation with El Mirage Arizona Police Department and Jeffersonville, Indiana Police Department, began a joint investigation into Mr. Wright’s whereabouts after receiving information that he may be in the area.

Authorities in Arizona relayed information to our agency that Mr. Wright had aƩempted to deceive investigators into believing he was deceased by driving to a local hospital in Arizona and having an acquaintance phone his family and tell them he was deceased, and they needed to collect his personal property from the hospital.

The acquaintance posed as a nurse and dressed in scrubs to deceive family members when they collected his personal property.

This act of deception assisted Mr. Wright in fleeing Arizona.

Further investigation led to the discovery that Mr. Wright was at a residence in the 600 block of Georgian Ave. in Sellersburg, Indiana.

The Southern Indiana Regional Swat Team apprehended Wright without incident, and he is currently being held in the Clark County Jail awaiting extradition to Maricopa County Arizona.

Sheriff Maples wishes to express his graƟtude to the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation for their assistance in this case.

It is important to note that all individuals, including Mr. Wright, are considered innocent unt proven guilty in a court of law.

Early Monday morning, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg and Versailles Posts began investigating two separate crashes on I-65 Southbound near the 18 mile marker in northern Clark County that claimed the life of an unidentified man.

The investigation by Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists indicated that shortly after midnight, a maroon 2014 Ford Fusion driven by Tee’untra Moore, age 31, Frankfort, Kentucky sustained a deflated tire while traveling southbound on I-65.  The vehicle continued southbound, while traveling well below the speed limit with the hazard lights activated.  Moore’s vehicle was then struck from behind by a black 2002 Honda Civic being driven by an unidentified Hispanic adult male.  Moore’s vehicle left the west side of the road and came to rest.  The Honda entered the median where it came to rest partially in the left lane of I-65 Southbound. 

The driver of the Honda exited the vehicle and was standing next to it.  The man, along with the Honda, were then struck by a black 2020 Cadillac Escalade, being driven by Martin Rodriguez, age 56, Greenwood, Indiana.  As a result of the second collision, the unidentified driver of the Honda Civic sustained fatal injuries.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Clark County Coroner’s Office. 

Moore and Rodriguez both had multiple passengers in their vehicles.  Some of the occupants in both vehicles sustained non-life threatening injuries. 

Toxicology results are pending although drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be factors in the crash.

The deceased male was the only occupant of the Honda Civic.  Investigators are working to determine his identity.  Information located in the vehicle indicated that he may have been 26 years old with previous connections to the Indianapolis, Indiana area. 

Anyone with information on his possible identity is urged to call Trooper Tate Rohlfing at the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post, at (812)246-5424.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe Township Fire Department, Tri Township Fire Department, New Chapel EMS, and the Clark County Coroner’s Office.