Henderson, Ky. (March 3, 2026) – The recently-created ORX Tolling Body, comprised of transportation and finance leaders from Indiana and Kentucky, met Tuesday and passed measures to prepare for the future start of all-electronic tolling for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing that will improve mobility, safety, and traffic flow. The three resolutions passed include setting initial toll rates and policy.
Tolling will only be in place on the future I-69 bridge. The bridge is expected to open to traffic in 2031, and tolling is expected to start by January 1, 2032.
Initial toll rates are expected to range from $3.14 for a passenger vehicle with a prepaid account and transponder to $18.62 for a large vehicle without an account or transponder. The rates mirror those anticipated to be in place for tolled bridges in Louisville in 2032.
Toll rates will be dependent on vehicle classification (vehicle height and the number of axles) and whether the driver has a prepaid account and transponder.
“Drivers with prepaid accounts and transponders will pay the lowest toll rates and cross the tolled bridge in the most efficient manner,” said Amanda Spencer, assistant state highway engineer with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). “Toll rates are higher without a transponder and account in good standing because of the increased administrative costs associated with reading license plates and researching vehicle owner information.”
Drivers in passenger vehicles with transponders and prepaid accounts in good standing save nearly 50% off the standard toll rate of $6.25 per crossing. A transponder is a small device mounted in the vehicle to facilitate all-electronic tolling, which means no stopping to pay a toll. Monthly bills will be mailed to drivers without prepaid accounts.
Toll rates are adjusted annually to keep up with inflation. Rates are adjusted 2.5% unless the rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is higher.
To ensure that all drivers pay their fair share, fees will be added to unpaid monthly bills. The first bill includes no fee. If unpaid, the second bill includes a $5 administrative fee. A third bill includes a $25 violation fee, and a fourth bill includes an additional $30 collection fee.
Other Resolutions
The Joint Board also passed a resolution to allow the procurement of a future Toll Service Advisor (TSA). A third resolution approves and adopts the bylaws of the ORX Tolling Body.
The Tolling Body is comprised of the chairman of the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA), a person designated by the chairman, the secretary of KYTC, the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and a person designated by the commissioner of INDOT. Since Sec. Jim Gray is KPTIA chairman, another designee is named. The Tolling Body is responsible for developing tolling policies, including toll rates and business rules.
About I-69 ORX
I-69 ORX will improve long-term cross-river mobility, reduce congestion and delay, and improve safety. It’s divided into three sections for project delivery. Construction on ORX Section 1, the Kentucky approach, was substantially complete in late 2025.
ORX Section 2 is a bistate project that includes the new river crossing. The bridge will be owned equally by Kentucky and Indiana, consistent with the historic ownership of bridges between the two states and in accordance with terms in the Bi-State Development Agreement. Construction is expected to start in spring 2027 and be complete in 2031.
ORX Section 3 includes some of the approach roadways and bridges in Indiana and is being led by INDOT. It will provide all-weather construction access to build the new bridge. Construction started in fall 2024 and is expected to be complete in late 2026.
About KPTIA
KPTIA was established in 2009 by the Kentucky General Assembly to review, approve and monitor significant transportation projects within the commonwealth and between the commonwealth and the state of Indiana and, if necessary, to assist with the operation, financing and management of these projects. KPTIA oversaw the development and construction of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project and continues to oversee its maintenance and operations.
KPTIA is pursuing a loan under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program for ORX, a $933 million project. The financial plan includes toll revenue financing supplemented by federal and state funding sources from both states.
