ADDISON — New York and Vermont transportation authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the new temporary ferry service across Lake Champlain will open by the end of the month, although the exact date and time of the first run were not set as the Addison Independent went to press.
John Zicconi, director of planning, outreach & community affairs for the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), said work had virtually been completed on the ferry infrastructure, located around 1,000 feet south of the former Champlain Bridge site linking West Addison with Crown Point, N.Y. The Lake Champlain Transportation Co. will operate the free around-the-clock service until a new bridge is completed next summer.
Zicconi said the new ferry will initially operate with a 15-ton weight limit, in order to gauge its performance. The weight limit is expected to ramp up to a 40-ton level after a few weeks, he said.
Officials expected the ferry to be operational either Sunday, Jan. 31, or in time for the morning commute on Monday, Feb. 1. The Independent will publish details on its Web site, www.addisonindependent.com, as soon as they become available.