After a two-year flood-induced hiatus, the Causeway Bike Ferry resumes service along the Island Line Trail on Friday, June 14th. The causeway was heavily damaged by spring flooding in 2010 which led to record high levels on Lake Champlain and resultant heavy wave activity against the former railroad bed.
The Bike Ferry will be running 51 days in 2013 ‘more than double its previous service:
· Summer Schedule (6/14 ‘9/2): Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays, 10am to 6pm
· Fall Schedule (9/7 ‘10/15): Sat, Sun & Holidays, 10am to 6pm
What is the Bike Ferry? This pedestrian / bicycle ferry connects across a 200’water gap in the historic marble railroad causeway in Lake Champlain. The causeway stretches 3 miles across the lake ‘the most spectacular part of the 14-mile Island Line Trail that unites the Burlington Bike Path, the Colchester Causeway and the Allen Point Fish and Wildlife Access Area in South Hero.
Ferry Sponsor: The premier sponsor is VBT Bicycling Vacations.
Volunteers Needed: We need to fill over 300 volunteer shifts to make this service possible! Sign up at www.bikeferry.org.
Operating Status: The ferry runs in rain but not in high-wave conditions. Check www.bikeferry.org or 802-861-2700x304 for the ferry status.
Parking: For those driving to the trail, please park at Snow Farm Vineyard or Folsom School in South Hero or Airport Park in Colchester.
Charters Available: Pre-arranged charter crossings are available for groups on days that the ferry is not scheduled to run.
Fares: The ferry does not run on love alone ‘though we wish it did! Fares cover 40% of the approximately $100,000 cost to operate each year.
DAY PASSES
Non-Members
Local Motion Members
Adult
$8
$6
Youth (7-17)
$5
$4
6 and Under
Free
Free
Season passes will be available after June 14th at our Trailside Center.
A celebration will be held Saturday, which will include Big Fix Co-Chairs Bill & Carole Hauke and former Gov. Howard Dean in acknowledging the hundreds of people who helped repair the trail and bring ferry service back. Meet at ‘the cut’in the causeway on Saturday, June 15th, 10:30am for a brief event. Event parking is available along Mills Pt Road in Colchester and Martin Road in South Hero.
Partners in the renovation include: Town of South Hero, Town of Colchester, City of Burlington, VT Agency of Transportation, VT Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, NW Regional Planning Commission and Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission.