Community Corner

It Has Been a Ferry Long Winter

The Hadlyme-Chester Ferry re-opened for the season this past weekend after threats of budget cuts almost shut it down.

The historic 241-year old Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, which provides a direct link from Route 148 in Hadlyme across the Connecticut River to Chester, opened for the season this past weekend. State officials had threatened to cut funding for the ferry service, arguing it was a fiscal liability.

Opposition to the cut quickly mounted, however, with opponents arguing that since it's part of the state highway system and should not be seen as a revenue source. It connects Route 148 over the Connecticut River and is merely an extension of the highway system, opponents said. Thousands of opponents signed a petition that was brought to the state in a rally to keep the ferry service going.

Their persistence convinced lawmakers to keep the ferry service in operation, and it celebrated opening weekend under blue skies, shuttling locals and tourists across the river.

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George, Deborah, and Adi Giesey were visiting from New Jersey and took advantage of opening weekend to cross the river on their way back from visiting family in the area. Kipper, the family dog, enjoyed the view and fresh air from the back seat of the family's car.

Adi, 14, enjoys taking the ferry because she likes “seeing things from a different perspective, especially (Gillette) Castle.” During warmer weather, the family comes to ride bikes and take their bikes across on the ferry as well, says George.

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Historic local attractions like the ferry, Goodspeed Opera House, and Gillette Castle draw people to the beauty of the lower river valley.

“It’s wonderful to have it running again, especially after a long cold snowy winter,” Diane Darcy,  ferry employee and Hadlyme resident.

The ferry operates April 1 through Nov. 30 and is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; Saturdays and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee to cross the river is $3 per vehicle. They are $2 in the commuter coupon book $1 for pedestrians and bicycles.


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