BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) reminds motorists that the department will cease operating the Edgard/Reserve ferry on Wednesday, July 31.

The ferry was scheduled to close permanently on Friday, June 28; however, DOTD agreed to continue operating the ferry through July 31 after the department received a memorandum of understanding from Parish President Natalie Robbottom. The Parish agreed that the state would no longer operate the ferry service after July 31st. The extension was to allow the Parish to work to identify a funding source and to plan their takeover of operations

In the past few years, the state, with legislative approval, has begun to implement the Streamlining Commission’s recommendations to close specific ferries that do not provide state or regional transportation connectivity and are primarily local transit services. The state closed the St. Francisville and Melville ferries, which saved Louisiana taxpayers approximately $2.7 million. In addition to the Edgard/Reserve ferry, the White Castle ferry was closed in June 2013. Both of these ferries have bridge crossings which provide alternative routes for drivers and will save taxpayers more than $3.5 million a year combined. Closing the Edgard/Reserve ferry will save the state approximately $2.2 million per year. The cost savings from closing the ferries will allow DOTD to invest additional funding into roadway improvements.

Operations will continue as normal until the date of closure. The ferry operates from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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 930 miles of interstate and 13,000 bridges, 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.

Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).