I-69 is the proposed NAFTA highway connecting Canada (via Port Huron, Michigan) with Mexico (via Laredo, Texas). While a section of I-69 currently exists in Michigan and Indiana, the proposed extensions through High Priority Corridor 18 and 20 would make it one of the longest Interstate highways in the United States.

A key design factor in I-69 is where to cross the Mississippi River. A number of alternatives were looked at. One popular idea was to cross just north and west of Memphis, providing another crossing for the Memphis area. It was later decided to stay on the east side of the river through Memphis, and cross somewhere in mid-Mississippi. At the same time, the people of Greenville wanted a new bridge to replace the existing sub-standard US-82 bridge. They were afraid that if the new Great River Bridge was built, they would never get a new US-82 crossing.

In the end, a new Greenville Bridge start was funded, while I-69 continues to move forward more slowly. As of 2005, the new US-82 crossing in Greenville is about 60% complete. The Great River Bridge is now known as the Charles W. Dean Bridge (named after one of the early engineers on the project). The final location of the bridge has been selected between Benoit, Mississippi, and Arkansas City, Arkansas, and the bridge has been approved by Congress for funding.