JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The St. Johns River Ferry's return to normal service has been delayed.
Originally, the repairs were supposed to have been completed before the end of this month.
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The tentative return to service date is now March 9, 2016.
Unanticipated repairs have delayed the return to service date. Following the completion of the dry dock overhaul, the ferry will also go through several days of sea trials to make sure all systems are operating properly.
The St. Johns River Ferry Commission encourages ferry riders to download the free smartphone app JaxFerry for updates on the ferry's return to service.
Ferry Out For Maintenance
The ferry was taken out of service for $1.4 million dollars worth of maintenance December 2015 because of a required inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard. That inspection included general maintenance to the ferry, along with some improvements.
That inspection is required twice every five years.
Motorists who use the service said they are a little disappointed that the ferry will be out of service for so long, forcing them to trade a 15-minute, one-mile ride on the ferry for a 25-mile and nearly 40-minute drive around the St. Johns River.