NEW ORLEANS, La. – Utilizing available funding appropriated by the legislature, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces the new hours of operation for the Algiers Point to Canal Street ferry and the ferry schedule for the Fourth of July holiday. The new schedule best preserves access to transportation options for residents of the New Orleans area.
Beginning Monday, July 1, 2013, the Algiers/Canal ferry will operate Monday-Thursday from 7:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., with final trips from Algiers Point at 6:15 p.m., and from Canal Street at 6:30 p.m. On Fridays, the vessel will operate from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. with final trips from Algiers Point at 7:45 p.m. and from Canal St. at 8:00 p.m.
On Saturdays, the ferry will operate from 10:45 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., with final trips being made from Algiers Point at 7:45 p.m., and Canal St. at 8 p.m. On Sundays, service will run from 10:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., with the last trip from Algiers Point at 5:45 p.m., and from Canal St. at 6 p.m.
The Chalmette Ferry, which services the route to and from Lower Algiers, will continue to operate its normal schedule making its last trip from Lower Algiers at 8:30 p.m. and from Chalmette at 8:45 p.m. The Gretna ferry is no longer in service.
For the Fourth of July holiday, DOTD will operate the Algiers/Canal ferry starting at 7:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m., with final trips from Algiers Point at 9:45 p.m., and from Canal St. at 10 p.m. This schedule will also be in effect for Wednesdays on the Point, a local concert series in Algiers, which has remaining events dates of July 4th, 10th and 17th.
Pedestrians may use the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) bus service as an alternative route to the east bank. RTA bus routes and schedules can be found at www.norta.com or by calling 504-248-3900.
DOTD will utilize the $830,000 provided by Act 273, along with $700,000 annually for two years provided by Act 274, to continue ferry operations at the Algiers/Canal locations. This $1.5 million provides for the continued ferry service but hours of operations will be closely monitored and may be adjusted based on available funding and ridership levels. Adjusted hours of operations were coordinated with the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (RPC), local legislators and public officials, who relied on peak ridership data and reviewed RTA bus schedule. DOTD will utilize the pedestrian ferry as much as possible at this crossing to improve efficiency.
RTA did not present a transition plan to the state, but has indicated it will present DOTD and RPC a potential transition plan in the fall of 2013. DOTD will continue to work with RPC to provide direction on the future of these local transit services.
More information about the CCCD ferries can be found at www.dotd.louisiana.gov/operations/cccd/. Travelers can follow the ferries on Twitter.com at Canal_Ferry and Chalmette_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).
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)
-30-
www.dotd.la.gov