NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s Crescent City Connection Division (CCCD) announces the addition of a second ferry to this weekend’s schedule to help transport riders headed to and from the annual Gretna Heritage Festival.

On Friday, October 1, the Gretna Ferry will extend its normal schedule, by one hour, operating from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., or until traffic conditions subside. A second ferry, the Motor Vessel St. John, will make its first trip from Canal Street at 4:30 p.m. During the period that both vessels are operating, departures from Gretna will be on the hour and the half-hour; and from Canal Street on the hour and the half-hour. No passengers will be carried from Canal Street to Gretna after 9:30 p.m. After that time, only passengers leaving Gretna to go to Canal Street will be carried.

On Saturday, October 2, the two vessels will begin transporting riders from Canal Street at 1:30 p.m. and make a final trip from Gretna at 12:30 a.m., or until traffic conditions subside. Departures from Gretna will be on the hour and the half-hour; and from Canal Street on the hour and the half-hour. No passengers will be carried from Canal Street to Gretna after 10 p.m. After that time, only passengers leaving Gretna to go to Canal Street will be carried.

On Sunday, October 3, the two vessels will begin transporting riders from Canal Street at 11:30 a.m. and make a final trip from Gretna at 10:30 p.m., or until traffic conditions subside. Departures from Gretna will be on the hour and the half-hour; and from Canal Street on the hour and the half-hour. No passengers will be carried from Canal Street to Gretna after 7:30 p.m. After that time, only passengers leaving Gretna to go to Canal Street will be carried.

Passengers need to be reminded that during festival hours, there will be no direct trips from Algiers to Gretna, no bikes and no motorized vehicles will be allowed for transport and, during peak times, the ferry schedule may be slightly modified (as needed) to accommodate large crowds.

The Algiers Ferry is running its regular schedule, 6 a.m. until 12:15 a.m., and the Chalmette Ferry will operate its regular schedule, 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., with no changes. All ferries will return to regular operating hours on Monday, October 4^th.

More information about the CCCD ferries can be found at ^{www.dotd.la.gov/operations/cccd or by calling (504) 376-8100. Travelers can also follow the ferries on Twitter.com at Canal_Ferry, Chalmette_Ferry and Gretna_Ferry. For traffic information, dial 511 or visit www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).}