The St. Johns River Ferry will be out of service for the next six to 12 weeks after damage Sunday night to the ramp at its Mayport Landing site, according to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
The authority had halted ferry service right after the Jean Ribault hit the boarding ramp.
After further inspection of the ramp structure, JTA said Thursday that “significant repairs” are needed, although the ferry itself remains operable.
The estimated repair time all depends on the availability of materials and supply chain factors, JTA said.
“We recognize the vital role the St. Johns River Ferry plays in our community and appreciate the public’s patience as we work diligently to safely and efficiently restore service,” a JTA statement reads in part.
The ferry service connects the north and south ends of State Road A1A between Mayport Village and Fort George Island.
The current closure means the normal five-minute ferry trip has been replaced with a 24-mile detour through the city’s Northside, Arlington and Beaches communities to link the Fort George and Mayport areas until it reopens.
