The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced Thursday afternoon that the Cave-in-Rock Ferry has halted operation due to high winds.
District 1 spokesman Keith Todd reports the ferry halted service at 2:30 Thursday afternoon due to winds out of the west at 23 mph with gusts up to 31 mph. He says when the wind is out of the west or southwest it can interact with the current in the Ohio River to create choppy conditions.
The Cave-in-Rock Ferry connects KY 91 with Illinois Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County and Hardin County.
The ferry normally starts service at 6:00 a.m., local time, 7 days a week. The last run from the Illinois landing is at 9:40 p.m, and the last run from the Kentucky landing is at 9:50 p.m.
Todd says the ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River on an average day providing an economic link for daily commuters who depend on it to get to and from jobs. It also serves as a tourist attraction and a tourism link between the Shawnee National Forest and the nearby Amish Community in Crittenden County. According to Todd, when the ferry is forced to close it turns a normal 10-mile trip between Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, and Marion, into a 70-minute detour.
