The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has announced the launch of its new ferry boat, “The Summitt,” which will provide service across the Tennessee River, connecting Benton and Houston Counties. Named in honor of the renowned Lady Vols basketball coach and Tennessean Pat Summitt, the ferry pushes the barge named “The Volunteer.”
A christening ceremony for “The Summitt” took place on December 13th, attended by Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley, as well as a number of local, state, and federal officials. The event also featured special guests such as Morgan Vance from the Summitt Foundation, former UT Knoxville Athletics Director Joan Cronan, and the Henry County High School Madrigals. Video footage of the event is available to the media through this link.
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TDOT manages two ferries: the Benton-Houston Ferry on the Tennessee River and the Cumberland City Ferry on the Cumberland River in Stewart County. The ferry service operates every day of the year, charging $1 per car, including the driver and passenger, or 50 cents per pedestrian. Other vehicles, such as trucks over one ton and motorcycles, have different fee structures, but no fare exceeds $5.
The construction of “The Summitt” was completed by McGinnis Inc. in South Point, Ohio, at a total cost of $3,298,000, funded by federal and state resources. The new ferry replaces a 67-year-old predecessor and is expected to have a lifespan of around 30 years. In 2023, the Benton-Houston Ferry transported approximately 14,500 vehicles.
For more information on Tennessee’s ferry services, please visit the TDOT website here.
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