JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The St. Johns River Ferry returned to service Monday morning starting at 6 a.m.
The United States Coast Guard ordered the ferry to dry dock September 17 to repair stress fractures in the ship's hull.
A partnership between the Jacksonville Port Authority, Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration helped expedite the repair work.
The three groups reached an agreement to use federal Ferry Boat Discretionary Grant Funds for the emergency repairs.
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Had the groups not been able to reach an agreement, the repairs could have been delayed several weeks, said Nancy Rubin, spokesperson for JAXPORT.
The St. Johns River Ferry, operated by the Jacksonville Port Authority since 2007, will have its ownership transferred to the City of Jacksonville's St. Johns River Ferry Commission October 1, 2012.
First Coast News