How many ferries cross the Ohio River? Just Askin'

As bridge construction and congestion swamp Greater Cincinnati, some travelers are shunning spans over the river and taking a more nautical commute. The Anderson Ferry makes about 130 trips each day, carrying about 400-500 cars across the Ohio River, depending on the weather. On the Ohio side, Ander

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What is the story about?

An Anderson Ferry worker steps directs cars onto the Anderson Ferry before departing to run cars between Ohio and Kentucky on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, in Cincinnati. Both the Roebling Suspension Bridge and the Brent Spence Bridge are closed currently.

As bridge construction and congestion swamp Greater Cincinnati, some travelers are shunning spans over the river and taking a more nautical commute.

The Anderson Ferry makes about 130 trips each day, carrying about 400-500 cars across the Ohio River, depending on the weather.

On the Ohio side, Anderson Ferry picks up passengers at 1 Anderson Ferry Road, near Delhi Township. The ferry ride connects in Constance, Kentucky, at 4030 River Road, near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

That made us wonder about ferry crossings.

Question: How many ferry operations cross the Ohio River?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are five ferries with routes that cross the Ohio River. Two have suspended operations currently.

Aubrey Hess, captains the Anderson Ferry toward Hebron, Friday, April 21, 2023. The Anderson Ferry has been in operation between Hebron, KY and Delhi, Ohio since March 3, 1817. It ’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ferry runs daily, unless inclement weather causes it to close.

Anderson Ferry: Connects Delhi Township with Constance, Kentucky. The Anderson Ferry has been in continuous operation since 1817 and has three ferries, Boone 7, Little Boone and Deborah A.
Augusta Ferry: Shuttles passengers and vehicles between Augusta, Kentucky, and Higginsport, Ohio using its vessel Jenny Ann. It has roots dating back to the late 1700s.
Sistersville Ferry: Operates between Sistersville, West Virginia, and Fly, Ohio. It is the only remaining ferry service on the upper portion of the river bordering West Virginia since 1817. The city has just purchaed a new boat to be named the City of Sistersville #3 and hopes to resume operation soon.
Rising Star Casino Ferry (M.S. Lucky Lady): has connected Rising Sun, Indiana, with Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, since 2018. It is operated in conjunction with the local casino resort to bridge the two communities without a nearby bridge.
Cave-In-Rock Ferry connecting Illinois and Kentucky on the lower Ohio River suspended operations in July due to contract disputes and no date has been set for service to resume. The ferry saves commuters a roughly 35-mile detour to the nearest alternative bridge.

Crossing the Ohio River on the Anderson Ferry.