Cave In Rock Ferry in Crittenden Co. stops operations as no contract agreement is reached

The Cave In Rock Ferry is officially closed, effective immediately, as debate continues over a contract agreement to keep services going.

The Cave In Rock Ferry transports roughly 300 vehicles across the Ohio River from Crittenden County to Cave-In Rock, Illinois at no cost to motorists. Typically, the ferry service has been equally funded by both Kentucky and Illinois.

Priorly, the ferry operator is seeking a 47 percent 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.

The contract expired on June 30, and with no new contract in place, ferry operations must stop until an agreement can be reached. Starting Wednesday, operations are suspended until further notice.

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.