The Henderson Truck Eating Curve Has Become Tri State Folklore

As work continues on the I-69 bridge in Henderson, many of us motorists have taken to doing a little extra decision-making when it comes to traveling to Evansville. I'm in Owensboro, and my favorite route has always been across the Blue Bridge up to Reo, Indiana, and then west on 66. That way, I avoid ORX 69 altogether.

I also like the U.S. 60 route on the Kentucky side...until you get to the trio of roundabouts at the intersection of the four-lane that will be the continuation of Interstate 69 one day. Honestly, by the time I'm through the third one, I'm a little nauseous.

And then there's the Audubon Parkway route, which will force you to take Interstate 69 into Henderson, making the "truck-eating" curve unavoidable. The curve has also taken on a kind of folklore status, seeing as how it has its own Facebook page.

If you've traveled to or through Henderson during the last couple of years, you know the one I'm talking about.

The 90-degree curve, which will be out of our lives when the I-69 bridge across the Ohio River is complete, is only temporary, but it's a big source of headaches for motorists attempting to navigate it. Before you get to it, the speed limit drops to 30 miles per hour, and you should obey that directive. You know, there are times when you see advisory speed limits because of bends in the road, but maybe you can get away with not going as slow they recommend. That is not the case with the "truck eater." I don't have a large vehicle, and if I'm driving even a little faster than 30 MPH, I can feel the curve sort of "pulling" me. And what blows my mind is the "fleet" of drivers blowing past me at that point.

The I-69 bridge is set to open in 2031, so this curve could be a part of our lives for the next five years. If so, long live the Facebook page...and the rest of us, for that matter. Please slow down.