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Route 148 is one of only two Connecticut highways to undergo seasonal closures: it crosses the Connecticut River on the Chester-Hadlyme ferry, which closes in winter. The ferry crossing and the remainder of Route 148 leading to Route 82 is a state scenic road.
In early 1999, the Killingworth Conservation Commission applied to the state Scenic Road Advisory Committee to add that designation to the segment between routes 79 and 81; that proposal was turned down.
In the 1920s, State Highway 148 was the number for today's Route 149 - a very close renumbering.
The modern Route 148 was commissioned in 1932, extending 7.64 miles, from Route 81 to the Hadlyme railroad station in Chester. It remained that way through the 1940s.
In 1962, it was extended westward to Route 79, and eastward across the ferry to Route 82.
In September 2003, the state raised fares significantly on both the Route 148 and Route 160 ferries: from $2.25 to $5 per vehicle, and from $0.75 to $1.75 per additional passenger or cyclist. A discounted advance purchase plan, at about 50 percent off, has been discontinued.
This has not been popular.
The DOT says the rate hike was required by the state's budget implementation bills. Some drivers are worried that the rate hikes are behind a plan to scale back or even stop the ferry service. ConnDOT assures that this will not happen.
As of 2024, the vehicle fare is $5.