SHOREHAM — The Ticonderoga Ferry closed for the day on Thursday due to ice forming on Lake Champlain, but officials said it plans to restart service on Friday if lake conditions allow.
The ferry has provided a critical transportation link between Shoreham, Vt., and Ticonderoga, N.Y., since the Lake Champlain Bridge (about 10 miles north) was closed on Oct. 16.
Normally it ceases operation for the season at the end of October, but state transportation officials convinced Michael and Alison Matot, who operate the cable ferry service, to remain open as long as weather permitted. Without the services hundreds of commuters between Addison County, Vt., and Washington and Essex counties in New York, must take an 80-mile detour south of Lake Champlain or take a ferry that operates between Essex, N.Y., and Charlotte, Vt.
The Ticonderoga Ferry has been running seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. since late October.
For information on the status of the Ticonderoga Ferry visit the Web site www.middlebury.net/tiferry.