TICONDEROGA (AP) — State transportation officials in New York and Vermont say the Ticonderoga Ferry across Lake Champlain will suspend service after its last run Sunday because the operator has been unable to get marine insurance after that.
Transportation officials say the new all-season temporary ferry at the former site of the Champlain Bridge will be operational by the end of January.
In the meantime, the Essex/Charlotte Ferry remains open and is operating 24 hours per day with no charge for passengers during the transportation emergency. A schedule can be found at www.ferries.com.
The states have also arranged bus service to help commuters while a new bridge is being built to replace the deteriorated one that was demolished last week in a controlled explosion.
Debris will be removed by the spring, when construction is scheduled to begin on a new span expected to open in the summer of 2011.
The 80-year-old bridge was closed Oct. 16 when engineers deemed it wasn't safe because of severe erosion to its concrete piers.
About 3,400 vehicles a day crossed the bridge in both directions.
