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Financial Relief for Drivers

Charlotte, Vermont - October 27, 2009

Some financial relief for commuters stranded by the closure of the Champlain Bridge. They now have a free option for crossing the lake.

The ferry pulling into Charlotte is offering drivers an extra perk. Starting Tuesday, it's free.

"My family had told me about it yesterday, but they thought it was just for commuters, but I pulled in and they told me it was free for all passenger cars so i was very pleased," said Seth McLaughlin of Crown Point, New York. 

Seth McLaughlin doesn't often cross the lake from his home in Crown Point. But his family has had a lot of hassles since the Champlain Bridge closed for safety reasons a week and a half ago.

"My father and brother work in Vermont. My father had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to meet the van he rides on, so that's getting old, I think," he said.

New York and Vermont officials announced they will pick up the tab for ferries between Charlotte and Essex; and between Shoreham and Ticonderoga. It applies to all passenger vehicles, motorcycles, buses, fuel trucks and standard-width farm vehicles.

"Because of the state of emergency, they said we need an solution and we need it now. This is what we're going to do to fix it. It's right across the board. If you come to this crossing, you don't have to be impacted by the bridge," said Heather Stewart of Lake Champlain Transportation.

Lake Champlain Ferries is billing the New York Department of Transportation its discounted commuter rate of $6.52 per car. That's good news for drivers who would have paid $9.50 to cross the lake between Charlotte and Essex.

"Relief. They're coming to the ticket booth and seeing a break. Hopefully this will be something that will tide people over until the full assessment can be made," said Stewart.

New York transportation officials do not have an estimate of how much the ferry will cost the state, but say there is no cap on it. They'll continue to subsidize the ferry until an alternative is in place.

State officials will hold two public meetings this week to update plans for the bridge. The first is tonight at 7:00 at the Addison Central School. The second is tomorrow night at the same time at the Moriah Central School.

Kate Duffy - WCAX News