The Twin Bridges | |
|---|---|
 On the northbound bridge; the bridge to the left is the newer southbound bridge, undergoing the 2007–08 renovation. The northbound bridge was reconfigured for two northbound lanes and one southbound lane, leaving one southbound lane on the southbound bridge. | |
| Coordinates | 37°54′15″N 87°33′2″W / 37.90417°N 87.55056°W |
| Carries |  US 41 |
| Crosses | Ohio River |
| Locale | Henderson County, Kentucky connecting Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky (Bridges are 1.5 miles south of Indiana state line) |
| Official name | Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Twin Bridges |
| Maintained by | KYTC (primary) INDOT (secondary) |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Paired 3-Span Cantilever bridges |
| History | |
| Opened | Northbound Bridge: July 4, 1932 Southbound Bridge: December 16, 1965 |
| Location | |
 | |
The Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Twin Bridges, (usually referred to as simply The Twin Bridges, despite differences in their widths), are located in Henderson County, Kentucky and connect Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana, along U.S. Route 41 (US 41), two miles (3.2 km) south of the current southern terminus of Interstate 69 (I-69). The two bridges average more than 40,000 vehicles crossings a day across the Ohio River.
The northbound bridge opened to traffic on July 4, 1932. The southbound bridge opened on December 16, 1965,[1] but will be decommissioned after the completion of the Interstate 69 Ohio River Bridge about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) east, which is scheduled to be completed in 2031.[2] The more historic northbound bridge will remain in service for US-41 as a two way bridge.[3]
Both of the Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Bridges are cantilever bridges. The northbound bridge stands 100 feet (30 m) over the Ohio River with a main span of 720 feet (220 m), with the steel gridwork extending 100 feet (30 m) above the driving surface.[4] The southbound span has a main span of 600 feet (180 m).[5]
An unusual fact about the bridges is that they are entirely within Kentucky. Although the Ohio River forms most of the border between Kentucky and Indiana, the state border is based on the course of the river as it existed when Kentucky became a state in 1792, when what would be Indiana was part of the unorganized Northwest Territory. Due to the New Madrid earthquake of 1812, the river changed course to the south, leaving the land where the bridges cross the river within Kentucky.
- ^ "Bevin speech makes advocates more hopeful than ever for I-69 bridge". Evansville Courier & Press. February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
- ^ "Section 2: I-69 Bridge". I-69 Ohio River Crossing. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ "FAQs". I-69 Ohio River Crossing. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ "Notable Bridges in North America". A&E Television Networks. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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