Short-term rolling closures to occur this month to transport beams
The last beams for the third and final I-69 Ohio River Crossing approach bridge under construction in Evansville are scheduled to be delivered starting this week. The deliveries have been rescheduled following the snow in January. The large, concrete beams are scheduled to be delivered the weeks of Feb. 2, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23.
Under the tentative schedule, beams will be delivered the following dates:
- Week of Feb. 2: Deliveries on Tuesday, Feb. 3, Wednesday, Feb. 4 and Thursday, Feb. 5
- Week of Feb. 16: Deliveries on Monday, Feb. 16 – Thursday, Feb. 19
- Week of Feb. 23: Deliveries on Monday, Feb. 23 only
The schedule may be adjusted again due to the weather and is subject to change.
Traffic Impacts
As beams are delivered, two short-term rolling closures lasting about five to 10 minutes each are expected on U.S. 41 to allow delivery vehicles to safely make the left turn from southbound U.S. 41 to Waterworks Road (about ½ mile north of the U.S. 41 bridges). Deliveries are anticipated between 1 and 4 p.m. The beams are being delivered from Decatur, Ind.
Message boards along U.S. 41 will remind drivers of these closures.
Evansville Approach Work
The 32 concrete beams range in length from 134 feet to 163 feet long. Four beams are expected to be delivered each day, with one beam transported per truck. Beams will be delivered in the afternoon and set the next day.
Three approach bridges are being built in Evansville. One concrete pour occurred late last year. The remaining concrete pours for the three bridge decks are expected this spring. The approach bridges mark the path to the future I-69 bridge. They will provide all-weather access for crews to build the I-69 bridge. The approach bridges and roadways in Evansville will open to traffic after completion of the bridge, currently estimated to be in 2031.
Construction on ORX Section 3 is more than 60% complete and is scheduled to be complete late this year.