Gov. David Paterson says a new Lake Champlain ferry linking Vermont and New York near the site of a demolished bridge will be operational by the end of January.
Paterson said Wednesday that the temporary service between Crown Point and Addison, Vt. will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crossing is expected to take 15 minutes.
Paterson also announced that the Essex County Industrial Development Agency will manage a $635,000 loan fund for businesses affected by the bridge closure.
The 80-year-old Lake Champlain Bridge was closed in October after being deemed unsafe and was demolished with explosives last month.
Construction on a new bridge is to begin this spring, with completion in 2011.