Service on the Merry Point Ferry across the Corrotoman River in Lancaster County will be suspended through early November for a maintenance project to clean and paint the ferry vessel in drydock, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced this week.

The vessel is painted every five years as part of its routine upkeep.

Ferry service was planned to be suspended on the day of the maintenance project’s contract start date, which is Tuesday, Sept. 7. However, the ferry is currently out of service due to minor vessel damage sustained during a docking last week. The ferry will remain out of service this week and over the Labor Day holiday weekend, before it is taken to drydock next week.

Maintenance work was postponed from spring to fall to allow ferry service to continue through its busiest seasons. Since the painting is performed outdoors, VDOT was able to postpone work to the fall, but this work is not recommended to occur during winter months.

“Riding the Merry Point...