The ferry that connects Marion, Kentucky, to Cave-In-Rock, Illinois will operate from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.
A $2.15 million funding commitment between the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) increases funds to the ORA from Oct. 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020 to cover expenses for a year-round, 16-hour ferry operation, as well as improvement costs associated with new U.S. Coast Guard requirements to upgrade the safety standards of three vessels. The 21-month funding agreement will be split evenly by the two states.
“This collaborative effort between the states and the Crittenden Fiscal Court fully restores a vital transportation link to travelers in the area and follows through on our commitment to present a solution based on funding assessments,” said KYTC Secretary Greg Thomas.
The Cave-In-Rock Ferry has been operating on an abbreviated 12-hour schedule since July 1, when ferry operator Lonnie Lewis raised funding concerns that threatened to halt operations entirely. To maintain operations, KYTC and IDOT entered into a three-month temporary agreement while a review was conducted to determine if prior funding allocations offset operational expenses.
Another financial review will be conducted next year to determine future funding commitments.
The first ferry run from the Illinois landing will start at 6 am. The last run from Illinois to Kentucky will be at 9:40 pm and the last run from the Kentucky Landing to Illinois will be at 9:50 pm. The ferry will operate 365 days a year, unless weather conditions prohibit safe operations.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CIRFerry