St. Johns River Ferry will suspend service Jan. 14 to April 1 for routine vessel maintenance required by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The ferry work occurs every two to three years to ensure the vessel remains in good repair.
“These improvements to the ferry and its facilities are critical as JTA addresses how we improve the regional waterborne network and expand water-based services as a viable option for commuters,” JTA CEO Nat Ford said in a news release.
During the maintenance, JTA will complete ongoing improvements, including site safety and operational improvements, extension of bulkhead walls, new catwalk accesses and mooring bollards, new warehouse equipment systems, improved signage and bridge gantry preservation and rehabilitation.
When the full scope of work is complete in March 2024, ferry riders will have improved points of entry and new dynamic information signage.
The total cost of the project is $3 million, the release states.
The upgrades to the ferry are part of JTA’s MOVE2027 RegionalWorks strategy to improve waterborne transportation in Northeast Florida.
The St. Johns River Ferry is a car and passenger ferry that connects the north and south ends of State Road A1A, linking Mayport Village and Fort George Island. The trip takes about five minutes and departs every half hour. Visit ferry.jtafla.com for hours of operation.