ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County lawmakers revealed Monday that the state plans to start a 24-hour, free ferry next to the boarded-up Champlain Bridge in Crown Point.

The ferry would launch from temporary docks to be constructed south of the bridge at the Crown Point Reservation State Campground.

It would open at the beginning of December and use two ferries, an ice breaker and a smaller boat to reach the Vermont side at Chimney Point.

EASING THE TOLL

The new ferries would alleviate some of the hardship caused by the abrupt shutdown of the bridge on Oct. 16, according to members of the County Board of Supervisors.

Supervisors Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah), Dale French (R-Crown Point) and Robert C. Dedrick (R-Ticonderoga) attended a meeting Friday with state officials and representatives of ferry-operator Lake Champlain Transportation at the newly established Champlain Bridge Outreach Center.

“The discussion was based on the exploration of putting two ferries just south of the Champlain Bridge, coming off the boat launch on the campsite side,” Scozzafava said.

“That helps employees working the night shift. We’re hopeful this newest plan of action takes place. It won’t solve all the problems, but it will make it easier for those people that have to cross.”

YEAR-ROUND

The new ferries would be year-round and run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Currently, Lake Champlain Transportation’s Essex-Charlotte, Vt., Ferry makes its last trip from Vermont at 10 p.m., while the independent Ticonderoga Ferry ends at 8 p.m.

DOT representatives did not return messages left Monday afternoon seeking more information on the new ferry.