ferry stays open

[YEAH]

Lake Champlain Bridge Update
from the New York State Department of Transportation November 14, 2009 (Second Message)

Thank you for sharing your contact information with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) so we can be in touch about the Lake Champlain Bridge closure. The following is an update regarding the Lake Champlain Bridge closure and plans.

Officials from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the New York State Department of Transportation NYSDOT) today announced that an agreement has been reached with the owners of the Ticonderoga Ferry to keep the ferry in service until the end of December, weather permitting.

The deal keeps the ferry open and running 7 days a week from 6 AM to 8 PM, weather permitting, and will still be available free of charge for passengers.

Normally, the ferry service is seasonal and shuts down each fall.
VTrans and NYSDOT have reached an agreement with the ferry company that will allow the ferry operator to install winterizing equipment designed to allow the ferry to operate in colder weather.

Lake Champlain is relatively shallow where the ferry operates, and eventually the lake is expected to freeze and prevent the service from continuing despite winterization efforts. Also, snow and ice conditions on specific days could cause the operator to cancel or curtail service on short notice for either safety or mechanical reasons.

The agreement with the ferry operator is designed to aid the ferry service and help provide the company the ability to run into December, as long as weather conditions allow. The agreement does not assure service until the end of December as Mother Nature may force the ferry service to close before then. VTrans, NYSDOT and the ferry company will make every effort to keep the Ticonderoga ferry service running as long as possible.

In addition, the States are finalizing plans for a charter bus service that will run from the Ticonderoga area and take people across the lake on the Essex ferry. This replacement option will be able to assure a reliable all-weather method of crossing the lake once winter weather sets in.

If you have questions about the Lake Champlain Bridge or alternative crossings, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-769-7243 or visit us at the Community Outreach Center, located at 814 Bridge Road in Crown Point.

[abc]

That is the best news I have heard all day...Thank you

[cba]

great news thanks

[bac]

needs to run later on the weekends PLEASE !

[annie19]

yes the ferry should run later on weekends. My hubby gets out of work on sunday at 9 pm
he works in middlebury and we live here in new york state. With this he has to stay at the place of work till morning to catch the Ti ferry. Simply not fair.
Does any one know what the schedule for the Essex Charlotte ferry is?

[concerned citizen]

The Essex ferry runs until 10PM

[annie19]

thank you for the info

[vt-vs-ny]

looks like the VT side has everything in place for a ferry--- too bad the ny bureaucrats are too busy doing archeological studies, digging for indian bones and finding out where george washington last slept to do their part!

[angry]

the ferry should be ran year round like the one in essex what about women who have to go to middlebury to deliver babies and they go in labor late at night what are they going to be forced to go to a hospital they dont want to deliver at that there not comfortable at.where are the right for women and when are people going to start helping and stop talking it all sounds good with a new ferry open 24 hrs but come on where is it.

[bill]

I oughta buy a DUKW.