Historic Connecticut River Ferry to Resume Seasonal Operations

GLASTONBURY/ROCKY HILL, CT — It looks like the historic Connecticut River ferry connecting Glastonbury and Rocky Hill will begin operating on April 1, an official from the state Department of Transportation said.

Last year, ferry operation was plagued by high river waters from April into July. It was forced to stay at the dock for prolonged periods of time.

Water levels in the river are currently "normal" and the ferry should start running on its traditional April 1 date, DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick said.

Like last year, the ferry will not be running on Mondays because of a staffing shortage, he said.

Click here for fare and normal operating schedules.

The nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service crosses the Connecticut River between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury. The ferry dates 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 rig accommodates three cars and about 15 motorcycles.

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.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel