Construction has commenced on an Ohio River boat
ramp complex that, once finished, will provide the only free state
access site on the Indiana side of the river from Clarksville to
Madison.
When completed, the Charlestown State Park facility will be one
of the largest ramps available on this section of the Ohio, which is
heavily used by recreational boaters. Features of the facility will
include a 75-foot wide ramp that will provide five launching lanes,
a 98-car parking lot, two river overlooks, ADA facilities and
signage.
The work, which is being done by contractor MAC of New Albany, is
expected to continue through next spring and into early summer.
At first, the construction effort may not be obvious to visitors
and local residents. The initial part of the effort will be the
reconstruction of 3 miles of roads from the current park to the site
for the new ramp. A new two-lane bridge over Jenny Lind Run that
will replace the old one-lane bridge is included in the project.
The area the project addresses is a nearly 80 mile long pool
created by the McAlpine Lock and Dam, one of five such structures on
Indiana’s portion of the Ohio. Until now, there have been no Indiana
public access sites or bridge crossings on this heavily used section
of the river.
The expected total cost is approximately $2.8 million. The
estimated cost of the boat ramp and parking lot is $1.03 million, 75
percent of which will be funded by a federal sport fish restoration
grant. The balance of the project will be paid for by state funds.
Although use of the boat ramp will be free, a gate fee is charged
to all vehicles entering the park itself. The
Monday-through-Thursday rate for in-state vehicles is $4 per day, $5
Friday through Sunday and holidays. Cost for out-of-state vehicles
is $7 daily.