valleyviewferry
Valley View Ferry
After about a month hiatus of weekend service, the Valley View Ferry, which shuttles vehicles and people across the Kentucky River at Tates Creek Road at the Fayette, Jessamine and Madison county lines, is once again full steam ahead with seven-day-a-week service.
The ferry is a free service and operates with funding from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the fiscal courts of Madison and Jessamine counties, and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
At the end of June, citing a shortage of qualified operators, the Valley View Ferry Authority, which manages the ferry, said the reduction in hours was the result of one of the vessel’s two full-time captains resigning. But according to a traffic update page on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's website (here), the ferry has resumed weekend service from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat. - Sun. The ferry operates from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Fri.
The Valley View Ferry is the oldest year-round (save for Christmas Day) ferry service in the country and the last remaining ferry on the Kentucky River. The ferry was founded seven years before Kentucky became a state, and its charter was signed by Virginia Governor Patrick Henry in 1785. The current boat’s name, the “John Craig,” was the name of the franchise’s original owner, and dates to 1996.
The ferry may be closed in the event of high water or for inspections or repairs. The ferry’s current operating status can be found by clicking here or by calling (859) 258-3611.