Cave-In-Rock Ferry Reopens On Lower Ohio

Floodwaters on the Ohio River dropped enough so a ferry connecting Kentucky and Illinois has been able to resume service.

The Cave-in-Rock Ferry reopened at 6 a.m. April 1. It had been closed since 7 p.m. March 28, when floodwaters closed Ky. 91 near the landing. The ferry connects Ky. 91 in Crittenden County with Ill. 1 in Hardin County, Ill., at Mile 881.0 on the Ohio River.

Ferry operator Lonnie Lewis and the crew used the downtime to perform maintenance on the ferry boat that would normally be completed during the overnight hours, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet district 1 spokesman Keith Todd said. Over the last few days, the Crittenden County highway maintenance crew had been clearing debris from the flooded section of the road at the Kentucky landing as the water slowly dropped, expediting efforts to clear the remaining drift and reopen the ferry.

The Cave-in-Rock Ferry provides a critical connection between Kentucky and Illinois for dozens of commuters who live in one state and work in the other, Todd said. Whenever the ferry is closed, the commute can more than double for some who ride the ferry daily. It carries 500 vehicles in an average day.