MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — An official says construction could begin this week on a new ferry crossing between Vermont and New York that would take the place of the now-closed Lake Champlain bridge between Addison and Crown Point.

Vermont Transportation Agency spokesman John Zicconi says the first phase of construction will be to build access roads to the edge of the lake. Then the in-lake portion of construction can begin.

Zicconi says officials are close to getting all the needed state and federal permits.

The 80-year-old bridge was closed Oct. 16 after it was deemed unsafe.

The two states are hoping a ferry can replace the bridge until a new one can be built.

Zicconi says it's unclear how soon the new ferry could begin operating.