ALBANY, N.Y.—State officials in New York and Vermont have arranged free ferry service to help residents and businesses cope with the closure of the Lake Champlain bridge linking towns in both states.
New York Gov. David Paterson and Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas say Fort Ticonderoga Ferry and Lake Champlain Transportation have agreed to offer free service while the bridge is repaired. Free express bus service has been set up to take commuters to three major employers in Vermont.
Pedestrian ferry service also has been set up north of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Westport, N.Y., and Basin Harbor, Vt.
New York officials say they're considering building a temporary bridge south of Ticonderoga to carry traffic while the deteriorating span is replaced.
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Toll-free hotline for bridge info: 1-888-769-7243
Bridge info and crossing options: http://www.lcbclosure.org.
