The original southern termination point of I-69 was to have been at the I-65/I-70 interchange (known locally as the "spaghetti bowl") on the northeast side of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. In fact, the grading and overpasses for this connection's ramps can still be seen at that location. Later, the State of Indiana changed its mind and sought to designate the freeway connecting the spaghetti bowl to the I-69/I-465 interchange (approximately 11 miles or 18 km) as "I-169 ". Due to a political fight over the inner-city portions of I-70 and I-65, it was decided to scrap I-169. In its place the state widened I-70 from 8 to 10 lanes and reworked its eastside interchange with I-465 to handle the additional traffic loads from the northeastern suburbs.
In 1998, Congress approved an extension of I-69 to the south and west from Indianapolis to the Texas-Mexico border.
From the Texas-Mexico border, I-69 will follow a path into Houston, then turn northward through Cleveland, Shepherd, Livingston, Lufkin, and Nacogdoches. It will go to the northeast, passing through Carthage, and then enter Louisiana towards Stonewall, where it will meet I-49 (which will be extended northward from its current terminus in Shreveport). It will also cross I-20 near Haughton, Louisiana.
I-69 will follow US 61 and US 51 through the Memphis area. While in the area, it will overlap with I-55, I-240 and I-40. Also, construction has begun on a new bypass route, called I-269.
Finally, I-69 will continue to its original southern terminus in Indianapolis via US 41, I-465 and various Indiana state routes. The specific route was a matter of some contention in local Indiana politics.
I-69 could stop in Mexico at any of the following towns: in Laredo (via US 59), McAllen (via US 281), or Brownsville (via US 77). Since no one knows exactly where it will end, suffixes have been applied to it: I-69A, I-69C and I-69E. However, because federal law prohibits suffixed Interstate numbers (except for I-35 in Texas and Minnesota), two of the routes would most likely be made spurs of I-69. Two of the three potential routes meet at Victoria, Texas, where I-69 will continue into Houston via US 59.
