A new ferry was scheduled to begin service across Lake Champlain this morning, the Burlington (Vt.) Free Press reported. The free service is a substitute for commuters who used to cross the lake on the Lake Champlain Bridge, which was closed for safety reasons three months ago. The ferry crossing takes about 10 minutes instead of the possibly two-hour detours many commuters faced without the bridge.

The 80-year-old bridge was closed on Oct. 16 and demolished on Dec. 28 after cracks were found in at least two of its concrete piers.

The bridge closure hurt local businesses, including the West Addison General Store, whose owner said sales dropped 40% without the bridge.

The ferry Cumberland made several practice runs over the weekend so the crew could get familiar with the new dock facilities that had to be built before the ferry service could begin between Addison County, Vt., and Crown Point, N.Y. Ferry boats will leave Vermont on the hour and half-hour, carrying 40-50 cars, 24 hours a day. Vehicles will be restricted to 15 tons and two axles for the first two weeks.

The cost of the temporary ferry service is expected to be $12 million and will be split between the states of New York and Vermont.

The replacement bridge, a modified network tied arch design, is scheduled to open in 2011. “It has a basket handle arch with a network cable arrangement,” according to a Vermont Agency of Transportation statement, “and internally redundant box tie girders supporting a composite precast deck system. The visually pleasing design compliments the natural environment and the historical setting of the bridge. The design’s life span is estimated to be at least 75 years.

“Construction on the new bridge is slated to begin this spring, with completion expected by late summer 2011. Vermont and New York will share the costs of construction, which are expected to be approximately $75 million.”