Grafton to Buy Eagle II Ferry After State Approves $878,577

GRAFTON - The City of Grafton has been notified by the Illinois State Comptroller’s office that funds in the amount of $878,577.00 are shortly forthcoming for the purchase of the Grafton ferry boat, Eagle II, from Calhoun Ferry Company. At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Mayor Morrow presented a framed copy of the Comptroller’s official notice to Denise Knight and Wayne Baalman of the Calhoun Ferry Company. George Andres, Ferry Task Force Leader, submitted the grant application and worked tirelessly through the grant process to secure funding from the State of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“I want to thank George Andres and the Ferry Task Force, Denise Knight and the Calhoun Ferry Company and our city employees for working so hard to make this dream become a reality. We could not have done it without you,” Mayor Morrow said.

The Grafton Ferry will open for full-time service on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. for commuters and early risers! We will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on opening day at 10:00 a.m. on the Grafton side; all are welcome to attend. Ferry Hours will be M-Th 5am-9 pm, Fr-Sat 5am-10pm, Sun 8am-9pm. Single-use tickets are $10 each. A book of 10 one-way tickets is $70, the same price as last year’s savings of thirty per cent. For your convenience, you will soon be able to pre-purchase your tickets on-line or in person on the boat using your credit or debit card, then just show the purchased QR code on your phone as proof. You may still pay with cash and have your single-use ticket or your ticket book stored on your phone or as single-use cards. Tickets may still be purchased on the boat.

Ferry signage is being updated on both the Missouri and Illinois sides of the River and Great Rivers and Routes is creating a specific ferry advertising campaign for the tourist season.

The Ferry Study that was completed two years ago through a separate grant from IDOT showed that year-round ferry service would greatly benefit commuters and tourists between Illinois and Missouri by significantly decreasing travel time and vehicle operating costs.

Photo by City Photographer Dave Sanford

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