Historic Connecticut River Ferry Gets Funding Into 2021

GLASTONBURY/ROCKY HILL, CT — A $2 million state investment has not only improved the slips for the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry but has guaranteed its funding through 2021.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto recently joined State Rep. Kerry Szeps Wood and Jill Barry and State Sen. Steve Cassano for a ceremonial ride across the Connecticut River to celebrate the improvements.

In addition to completing ferry slip repairs, the DOT unveiled a plan to provide "safe operations" for both employees and the public so that the service could continue this season. The ferry started running for 2020 on June 20 with social distancing protocols in place.

Wood and state Sen. Matt Lesser pushed for the funding, which was secured in 2019.

"Any assertion that the Connecticut DOT has unilaterally eliminated ferry service for next season is unfounded, " Eucalitto said.

Wood added, "With the improvements now complete, riders can continue to enjoy the ferry for years to come."

The ferry connects Glastonbury and Rocky Hill with a 5-minute ride across the Connecticut River. It's actually part of state Route 160, which begins at Route 15 in Berlin and ends at Route 17 in Glastonbury. To get from one end of the route to the other requires a ride on the ferry.

The Glastonbury-Rocky Hill ferry is the nation's oldest continuously operating service, dating back to 1655. The ferry operates on a tug-and-tow system with a small tugboat - the Cumberland - pulling a barge - the Hollister III.

The original ferry was a small raft pushed across the river using long poles.

In 1876, the ferry was "modernized" into a steam-driven craft, DOT officials said.

The Cumberland was commissioned in 1955 and there have been three versions of the Hollister.