Drivers traveling between Owensboro and Hartford have long been frustrated by the 23-mile stretch of I-165 with no exits — the longest gap of its kind in Kentucky.
Local and state officials are now studying five possible locations for a new interchange, a move they say could improve safety, access, and response times for southern Daviess and northern Ohio counties.
The study, led by the Owensboro–Daviess County Metropolitan Planning Organization and funded through a $200,000 federal grant, is still in its early stages.
Potential sites include Masonville–Habit Road, KY 142, Poplar Log Bridge Road, Crane Pond Road, and KY 764 near the Ohio County line. Public meetings are expected to take place in early 2026, prior to the finalization of any recommendations.
