Traffic & Transit
High Connecticut River Waters Stall 2024 Opening Of Historic Ferry
The Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry is the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service.
GLASTONBURY, CT — High waters in the Connecticut River prevented the historic Glastonbury-to-Rocky Hill ferry from making its first run of 2024.
Ferry season in Connecticut typically runs from April 1 through Nov. 30, but high waters make the landings treacherous. Department of Transportation officials said the water levels will determine when the runs will start.
Each crossing takes about 4 minutes with the "Cumberland," a small tug and the "Hollister III" barge equipped to carry vehicles. The ferry is actually the continuation of state Route 160 between the two towns.
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The captains make 70 to 80 trips a day.
The Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry is the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service. The original ferry dates back to 1655. Back then, it was privately operated under a state services agreement and pushed across the river using long poles.
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It was then powered by a horse on a treadmill in the center of the craft.
In 1876, state officials tell us, the ferry system was "modernized" with a steam-driven craft.
The system evolved into today's barge and tug.
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