From Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 on May 7, 2009:

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A crowd of about 60 people gathered to watch history being made at the Cumberland River ferry near Turkey Neck Bend in Monroe County on Thursday, April 30.

A new ferry barge, the "Sloan", was delicately guided into the river with the help of some heavy-duty equipment, including a grader, tractor-trailer and dozer. The new barge has roughly the same dimensions as its predecessor, the "Sarah M.", but is a foot longer at 92 feet. It’s 18 feet wide.

The new ferry was constructed in about 10 weeks by Grandview Welding and Equipment Company, the only bidder for the $320,000 contract.

The old ferry carried passengers across the Cumberland River for more than 40 years. The Sarah M. will be dismantled and sold. The ferry has been operative for about 200 years, according to some of the local residents.

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Maintenance work on the KY 214 Cumberland River ferry in Monroe County that was scheduled for Jan. 21 and 22 has been delayed indefinitely. According to a press release from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3, the ferry was to be removed from the river, cleaned, and inspected.