New Ferry Starts Running Across Lake Champlain

CROWN POINT, NY - A new ferry began running across the southern end of Lake Champlain this morning at 5 am.

The ferry service temporarily replaces the Crown Point Bridge which was demolished December 28th for structural damage. It had been shut down earlier in the fall.

A different ferry had been running in the fall, but was not allowed to operate after the new year. The destruction of the bridge has made travel difficult for commuters who cross the lake on a daily basis,

The ferry is operated by the Lake Champlain Transportation Company and will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a three minute trip across the lake.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas and other officials from Vermont were among the handful of passengers on board for the first crossing. They joined New York Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee.

The ferry can accommodate 50 vehicles and is a free to users. Construction of a new bridge is set begin this spring and is expected to be done in 2011.