Editing Interstate 69 (section)

===Tennessee, Kentucky, and Southern Indiana===
{{Main|Interstate 69 in Tennessee|Interstate 69 in Kentucky|Interstate 69 in Indiana}}
[[File:I-69 (WK Parkway).JPG|thumb|I-69 cosigned with Western Kentucky Parkway near [[Dawson Springs, Kentucky]]]]
From a point south of Clarksdale, Mississippi, to [[Henderson, Kentucky]], most of the I-69 alignment is planned to consist of upgrades to existing U.S. Highways, Interstates and substandard freeways, although some sections are expected be built as bypasses around cities and towns along the route.

I-69 SIU&nbsp;9 [[overlap (road)|overlaps]] [[Interstate 55|I-55]] into [[Memphis, Tennessee]], switching there to [[Interstate 240 (Tennessee)|I-240]] and then [[Interstate 40|I-40]] before leaving onto the short [[Tennessee State Route 300|SR&nbsp;300]] connection and then paralleling [[U.S. Route 51|US&nbsp;51]] to near [[Millington, Tennessee|Millington]]. On January&nbsp;18, 2008, the FHWA authorized [[Tennessee Department of Transportation|TDOT]] to erect I-69 signs on I-55, I-240, and I-40 from the Mississippi state line to the I-40/SR&nbsp;300 interchange. The recently completed [[Interstate 269|I-269]] will bypass this part of I-69, beginning where I-69 joins I-55 in Mississippi and ending near Millington, and will include the northern part of [[Tennessee State Route 385|SR&nbsp;385]] near Millington. SIU&nbsp;8 is planned to continue beyond Millington, near US&nbsp;51, to [[Interstate 155 (Missouri–Tennessee)|I-155]] near [[Dyersburg, Tennessee|Dyersburg]]. Despite these plans, it is unclear if the entire I-69 project in Tennessee will ever be completed. The state has suspended work indefinitely on the {{convert|65|mi|km|adj=on}} SIU&nbsp;8 and the remaining {{convert|9|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} unbuilt portion of SIU&nbsp;9 between SR&nbsp;300 and the northern end of I-269 near Millington due to a lack of federal funding. Work on SIU&nbsp;7 was also suspended for a few years, but this project has now been revived by the state which has decided there's value in having a continuous chain of freeways running partly on other completed Interstates between Memphis and the Kentucky state line. SIU&nbsp;7 follows the existing US&nbsp;51 freeway with new bypasses to the state line at [[Fulton, Kentucky]]. Completion of this stretch of I-69 where it bypasses Union City opens to traffic temporarily signed as '''State Route 690''' on February 21, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=TDOT: Mainline of SR 690, Future I-69 to Open Wednesday in Obion County |url=https://www.wbbjtv.com/2024/02/20/tdot-mainline-of-sr-690-future-i-69-to-open-wednesday-in-obion-county/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |publisher=WBBJ-TV |date=February 20, 2024}}</ref> A bypass for Troy is proposed as well. After that, Tennessee–Missouri–Arkansas I-55 link to I-155 which crosses back across the Mississippi River to the newly completed I-69 will serve as the main freeway routes between Memphis and northwestern Tennessee, at least on an interim basis.<ref name="I-69"/>

In Kentucky, I-69 mostly follows existing freeways originally built as [[toll road]]s. SIU&nbsp;6 follows the [[Julian M. Carroll Purchase Parkway]] and [[Interstate 24|I-24]] from Fulton to [[Eddyville, Kentucky|Eddyville]], while SIU&nbsp;5 continues along the [[Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway]] and the [[Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway]] from Eddyville to Henderson. While these parkways received the I-69 designation by federal legislation signed in 2008, upgrades have been necessary to bring the freeways to [[Interstate standards]]—but required less work compared to other states where entirely new highway must be built. A number of construction contracts have been let by the state of Kentucky to reconfigure several interchanges along the parkways. Many of these interchanges were originally designed with opposing loop ramps to accommodate toll barriers at the interchanges; these "tollbooth" style interchanges were (or will be) reconfigured to standard [[diamond interchange]]s as part of the parkways' conversion to I-69.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher = [[Kentucky|Commonwealth of Kentucky]] |url = http://www.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/governor/20060515i69.htm |title = Governor Fletcher Unveils I-69 Corridor Designation |date = May 15, 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071126110431/http://www.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/governor/20060515i69.htm |archive-date = November 26, 2007 }}</ref>

On August&nbsp;31, 2011, Kentucky Governor [[Steve Beshear]] announced an agreement between the state and the FHWA which allowed the [[Kentucky Transportation Cabinet]] (KYTC) to erect I-69 signage along the new Interstate's {{convert|17|mi|km|adj=on}} overlap with I-24 and the {{convert|38|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of the Western Kentucky Parkway between I-24 and the Pennyrile Parkway. Signage was placed in late 2011, with construction on necessary upgrades of the portion of the Western Kentucky Parkway expected to be bid in September.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=[[Governor of Kentucky]] |url=http://governor.ky.gov/pressrelease.htm?PostingGUID={AC96E6DB-B9F4-4698-8017-A05FF61347BA} |title=Governor Beshear announces approval of historic I-69 agreement |date=August 31, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202080817/http://www.governor.ky.gov/pressrelease.htm?PostingGUID=%7BAC96E6DB-B9F4-4698-8017-A05FF61347BA%7D |archive-date=December 2, 2011 }}</ref> On October&nbsp;25, 2011, I-69 was officially designated by Beshear along a {{convert|55|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of I-24 and the Western Kentucky Parkway between [[Calvert City, Kentucky|Calvert City]] and [[Nortonville, Kentucky|Nortonville]].<ref>{{cite news |publisher = [[WPSD-TV]] |url = http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/ky-state-news/Beshear-Puts-I-69-On-The-Map-132568533.html |title = Governor puts I-69 on the map |date = October 25, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130728231459/http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/ky-state-news/Beshear-Puts-I-69-On-The-Map-132568533.html |archive-date = July 28, 2013 }}</ref> Signage and milemarkers were replaced on the {{convert|38|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of the Western Kentucky Parkway in mid-December&nbsp;2012.<ref>{{cite news |first = Keith |last = Todd |date = December 15, 2012 |url = http://surfky.com/index.php/communities/webster/55-local-hopkins-top-news/23999-i-69-is-official-with-new-signs-and-mile-points-in-lyon-hopkins-a-trigg-counties |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904093812/http://surfky.com/index.php/communities/webster/55-local-hopkins-top-news/23999-i-69-is-official-with-new-signs-and-mile-points-in-lyon-hopkins-a-trigg-counties |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 4, 2015 |title = I-69 is Official with New Signs and Mile Points in Lyon, Hopkins & Trigg Counties |work = SurfKY News |access-date = December 30, 2012 }}</ref> An additional {{convert|43.6|mi|km}} along the Pennyrile Parkway from the Western Kentucky Parkway to [[Kentucky Route 425]] (KY&nbsp;425), south of Henderson, was designated and resigned on November&nbsp;16, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.wtvq.com/2015/11/16/new-red-white-and-blue-highway-signs-for-42-miles-of-i-69/ |title = New red, white, and blue highway signs for 42 Miles of I-69 |date = November 16, 2015 |access-date = February 27, 2016 |archive-date = February 21, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160221202438/http://www.wtvq.com/2015/11/16/new-red-white-and-blue-highway-signs-for-42-miles-of-i-69/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.wsmv.com/story/15878028/new-interstate-69-designated-in-ky |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130209201717/http://www.wsmv.com/story/15878028/new-interstate-69-designated-in-ky |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 9, 2013 |title = New Interstate 69 designated in Ky. |publisher = [[WSMV-TV]] |location = Nashville, Tennessee |date = October 26, 2011 |access-date = October 26, 2011 }}</ref> The Purchase Parkway between [[Mayfield, Kentucky|Mayfield]] and Calvert City was signed in July&nbsp;2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.wkms.org/post/completion-interchange-projects-adds-30-miles-interstate-69-kentucky |title = Completion Of Interchange Projects Adds 30 Miles Of Interstate 69 In Kentucky |last = Inman |first = Taylor |website = www.wkms.org |date = July 3, 2018 |language = en |access-date = February 18, 2019 |archive-date = February 19, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190219072901/http://www.wkms.org/post/completion-interchange-projects-adds-30-miles-interstate-69-kentucky |url-status = live }}</ref> The next phase of upgrading Purchase Parkway from Mayfield to the Tennessee state line began in December 2022 and was completed and opened on December 15, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2023 |title=Work for I-69 upgrades ramping up along Purchase Parkway |url=https://www.murrayledger.com/news/local/work-for-i-69-upgrades-ramping-up-along-purchase-parkway/article_060f940e-c6ba-11ed-9fda-eb049931fa9b.html |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=Murray Ledger and Times |language=en}}</ref>

A bridge known as [[Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing|Ohio River Crossing]] (ORX) spanning the [[Ohio River]] is the last remaining piece to connect the two states.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 30, 2016 |title=Pence, Bevin sign agreement for I-69 bridge |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/06/30/pence-bevin-states-work-together--69-bridge/86572570/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026141114/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/06/30/pence-bevin-states-work-together--69-bridge/86572570/ |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |access-date=July 1, 2016 |work=Evansville Courier-Press}}</ref> The Indiana and Kentucky governors agreed on June&nbsp;30, 2016, to spend a combined $17&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|17000000|2016}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}) for an environmental and design study to determine how the two states will pay for it. The first study was commissioned in 2001, and a preliminary report in 2004 put the cost of a bridge at $1.4&nbsp;billion (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|1400000000|2004}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}). In August 2023, officials in Kentucky and Indiana submitted a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting $630 million to build.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bittenbender |first1=Steve |title=Kentucky, Indiana want more than $630M in federal funding for I-69 project |url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/indiana/article_3e16a424-40f8-11ee-a6f3-7f43dbeb9607.html |access-date=13 April 2024 |work=The Center Square |date=22 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Construction began on I-69 ORX Section 1 in Kentucky in 2023. It includes numerous roadway and bridge improvements. Nine new bridges are being built and seven bridges are being rehabilitated as part of the new I-69 in Henderson.[https://i69ohiorivercrossing.com/section-1-kentucky/] This section is scheduled for completion in 2025. Construction began on I-69 ORX Section 3 in Indiana in summer 2024 with the widening and strengthening of shoulders along I-69 east of its current end at US 41 to hold traffic during construction.[https://i69ohiorivercrossing.com/section-3-indiana/] ORX Section 2 is the actual construction of the bridge and it will be supported by toll revenue supplemented by traditional federal and state dollars. A financial plan was developed in 2021. The bridge is expected to begin construction in 2027 and will be completed in 2031. Both states are looking for opportunities to accelerate the timeline. When the Ohio River Crossing is complete, roughly 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of US 41, the remainder of the former spur may become an extension of Veterans Memorial Parkway. [https://i69ohiorivercrossing.com/section-2-i-69-bridge/]

At the October&nbsp;18, 2013, AASHTO meeting, an [[Indiana Department of Transportation]] (INDOT) request to redesignate I-164 as part of I-69 was approved, pending concurrence from the FHWA.<ref>{{AASHTO minutes |year= 2013A |access-date= October 25, 2013}}</ref> I-69 was officially designated on this corridor in late 2014.<ref name="request">{{cite letter |first = Daniel A. |last = Dozier |date = September 5, 2013 |title = Request for I-69 Designation for I-164 from I-64 to US&nbsp;41 |url = http://route.transportation.org/Documents/Indiana%20AM2013.pdf |recipient = Richard J. Marquis |location = Indianapolis |publisher = [[Indiana Department of Transportation]] |via = American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials |format = PDF |access-date = January 9, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080440/http://route.transportation.org/Documents/Indiana%20AM2013.pdf |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

SIU&nbsp;3, connecting I-69 to [[Interstate 465|I-465]] in southern [[Indianapolis]], will roughly parallel [[Indiana State Road 57|SR&nbsp;57]] and [[Indiana State Road 45|SR&nbsp;45]] and will use an upgraded version of the existing [[Indiana State Road 37|SR&nbsp;37]] from just south of [[Bloomington, Indiana|Bloomington]] to a point just south of Indianapolis. A {{convert|67|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch from Evansville to [[NSWC Crane Division]] was completed on November&nbsp;19, 2012,<ref>{{cite news |date = November 2, 2012 |title = Indiana I69 extension's 1st stretch opens Nov 19 |url = http://www.courier-journal.com/viewart/20121102/NEWS01/311020120/Indiana-69-extension-s-1st-stretch-open-Nov-19?odyssey=nav%7Chead |access-date = January 29, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=January 2013}}</ref> and the remaining {{convert|27|mi|km|adj=on}} portion to Bloomington opened to traffic on December&nbsp;9, 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/mayors-next-section-of-i-69-to-open-next-week-25edb1ed-c189-708c-e053-0100007f01a3-360060761.html |title = Mayors: Next section of I-69 to open next week |work = Evansville Courier & Press |date = December 2, 2015 |access-date = December 2, 2013 |archive-date = December 4, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151204023512/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local/mayors-next-section-of-i-69-to-open-next-week-25edb1ed-c189-708c-e053-0100007f01a3-360060761.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Construction on upgrading a {{convert|21|mi|km|adj=on}} section of SR&nbsp;37 from Bloomington to just south of [[Martinsville, Indiana|Martinsville]] to Interstate standards was completed in late 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=70518 |title = Officials Mark Start of Next I-69 Section |work = insideindianabusiness.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003116/https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=70518 |archive-date = May 5, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Construction began in 2019 on the final segment from Martinsville to Indianapolis, a project known as I-69 Finish Line, with completion anticipated by the end of 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.in.gov/indot/projects/i69/2344.htm |title = INDOT: Project Updates and News |website = www.in.gov |date = October 6, 2021 |access-date = February 27, 2016 |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081255/http://www.in.gov/indot/projects/i69/2344.htm |url-status = live }}</ref> SIU&nbsp;2 will follow the southeastern quarter of I-465 around the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Frequently Asked Questions |url = https://i69finishline.com/frequently-asked-questions/ |access-date = July 19, 2021 |website = I-69 Finish Line |language = en-US |archive-date = July 19, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210719023718/https://i69finishline.com/frequently-asked-questions/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The interchange between I-69 and I-465 on the southwest side of Indianapolis opened on August&nbsp;6 and 9, 2024, making I-69 through Indiana continuous.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="465south">{{cite web |title=I-69/I-465 System Interchange |url=https://i69finishline.com/i69interchangeopening/ |website=I-69 Finish Line |publisher=[[Indiana Department of Transportation]] |access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>