BATON ROUGE, La. – Today, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that the White Castle ferry is scheduled to return to service in mid-to-late February.

Service was scheduled to resume in mid-January after crews completed repairs to the ferry’s propeller shaft; however, damage to the vessel’s propulsion system was discovered while crews were testing the original repairs. Repairs to the propulsion system have to be made before the United States Coast Guard gives DOTD clearance to put the vessel back into service.

Before traveling, drivers can call the Toll-Free Ferry Information line at 1-888-613-3779 for the status of the ferry, or visit the "Ferry Status" page on the right-hand side of the DOTD Web site.

Drivers can also access updates on the ferry through Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/WhCastle_Ferry. By creating a Twitter account, drivers can receive automatic updates on the ferry’s status via their Twitter Web page or text message.

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.

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.