NEW ORLEANS, La. – Beginning Monday, July 1, 2013, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will begin new hours of operation temporarily utilizing the Motor Vessel Louis B. Porterie, a medium-sized ferry servicing vehicles and pedestrians, at the Algiers Point to Canal Street route. The Porterie will be in service while the permanent ferry, the M/V Col. Frank X. Armiger, is out of service.
The Armiger’s generator is currently in need of repair and DOTD is waiting on a second proposal to determine the cost. The Armiger will be the primary vessel once it repaired and cleared for service by the U.S. Coast Guard. As of now, there is no estimated time frame for when the Arminger will return.
As a reminder, the Algiers/Canal ferry will now 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.
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 [email protected], 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)
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www.dotd.la.gov