The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Ohio River Ferry Authority are currently negotiating to continue the Cave-in-Rock Ferry.
On average the ferry takes 300 vehicles across the Ohio River from Crittenden County to Cave-in Rock, Illinois at no cost to the drivers. According to the transportation cabinet, Kentucky and Illinois have equally funded the ferry service for years.
The current ferry service agreement expires on June 30, and work is still underway to finalize a new agreement. The current proposal from the ferry operator is seeking a 47% increase in state funding for no service increases. The transportation cabinet officials say they can’t afford to increase state funding for the ferry over the next two years, but they still want to continue the vital service.
If a new agreement is not reached by July 1, then travelers should use an alternate route to travel between Crittenden County and Illinois. According to the transportation cabinet, the shortest alternative route between Cave-in-Rock and Marion uses the KY 56 Shawneetown Bridge and takes about 35 minutes longer than a ferry trip.
The ferry operates 16 hours per day and seven days a week.
Photo courtesy of Cave-in-Rock Ferry on Facebook