A new Interstate 165 interchange may soon become reality between Owensboro and Hartford, Kentucky, addressing a long-standing need for better access and emergency response along the 23-mile stretch.
The proposal gained attention after discussions among local residents and officials highlighted the lack of exits between the State Route 69 interchange and Owensboro — one of the longest exit-free stretches of interstate in Kentucky.
“When you’re heading north on 165 and get to the SR 69 interchange, it’s like those desert highway signs — ‘Last gas for X number of miles,’” one local joked.
Safety Drives the Project
While added convenience is a benefit, safety concerns are the main motivation. Legislators and first responders note that emergency vehicles often face long delays reaching accident scenes because drivers must travel several miles to turn around and return to the site. Those lost minutes can be critical in emergencies.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Owensboro-Daviess County Metropolitan Planning Organization conducted a survey listing five possible locations for the new interchange. Each option aims to improve response times, traffic flow, and accessibility for residents in surrounding communities.
At 23 miles, the gap between exits might not seem significant on paper — but for regular drivers on I-165, it’s a frustrating and sometimes dangerous stretch.
“Ask anyone who drives it daily,” one commuter said. “They’ll tell you — it feels like forever.”
With growing regional support and state-level discussions underway, this long-awaited interchange could soon move from proposal to construction, finally bringing relief to both motorists and emergency crews who’ve been navigating this underserved stretch for decades.
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