GLASGOW- MoDOT workers closed the Highway 240 Bridge over the Missouri River at Glasgow on Monday forcing drivers to find another way across the river for the next year.
A new ferry service is ready to take them.
"It's a pretty fun job. Out on the river, you get to meet a lot of people," said ferry boat pilot Bill Baalman.
Baalman and his sister, Denise Knight, work together on the ferry. Baalman started piloting ferry boats 20 years ago and enjoys being on the water.
After MoDOT closed the bridge, the cross-river drive now has a 60 mile detour.
"We were ready to go. The river's dropped. The ramps are looking pretty good. And there's a few people moving," said Knight.
The ferry will run 12 hours a day 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The ferry can hold up to 15 cars on one trip, and each car must pay $6 for a one way ticket. A new temporary road across the river from Glasgow puts cars on-board.
MoDOT records show nearly 1,200 cars crossed the Glasglow bridge a day. They estimate the renovation project will cost more than $14 million.
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