BATON ROUGE, La. – The Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that the Edgard/Reserve ferry will return to service on Monday, Jan. 17.

The ferry closed in June 2007 to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to make repairs to the levee where the ferry landing is located. The repairs were completed in February 2008. A land dispute between St. John the Baptist Parish and the Catholic Diocese of New Orleans delayed service from resuming after the levee repairs were complete. The land dispute had to be settled in order for DOTD to have power restored to the ferry landing. Additional delays in resuming service were caused by work involving rebuilding the road to the ferry landing.

The 17-car ferry will operate from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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/Reserve_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.

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).