BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced today that the closure of the Melville ferry originally scheduled for Oct. 9 has been delayed until the end of the soybean harvest season in an effort to help facilitate the movement of farmers and equipment across the Atchafalaya River.

The ferry will now close permanently on December 31. Operations will continue as normal until the date of closure. The ferry operates from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"I’d like to thank DOTD for working with the St. Landry Parish legislative delegation, mayor, council and interested citizens on getting ferry service at Melville extended," said State Representative H. Bernard LeBas. "Operating the ferry for another few months will be a great help to the farmers, sportsmen and workers who use it."

After December 31, motorists wishing to cross the river will need to take an alternate route. The nearest river crossing is approximately 12 miles south of the ferry landing via the U.S. 190 Bridge over the Atchafalaya River in Krotz Springs.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.