Lynchberg Ferry reopens

LYNCHBURG – The Lynchburg Ferry, closed since Sept. 12 due to Hurricane Ike, reopened at noon on Nov. 3.

“We were fortunate that even though both boats were lifted by the surge on top of their landings there was not significant damage to either of them,” Commissioner Sylvia Garcia said. “The majority of the cost of getting our ferries operational again has been in safely lifting the ferries from the landings.”

Special cranes were floated up the channel to lift the ferries from off the pilings, which make up part of the landings.

Thorough inspections have been conducted and all necessary repairs have been made to the boats. The total cost of repairs and inspections is about $300,000.

The ferry serves about 1,500 vehicles per day operating between 4:30 a.m. and 8:15 p.m.