Plaquemines port: Pointe à la Hache ferry landing emergency repairs nearly complete; opening depends on DOTD load test

Charles T. Tillotson, executive director of the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District, told commissioners the Pointe à la Hache ferry landing’s emergency repairs — which he said have exceeded $5,000,000 — are nearing completion and the port is awaiting a load test from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) before opening the landing to ferry service.

The work has included electrical and mechanical repairs, decking and ventilation upgrades and a planned new roof before hurricane season, Tillotson said. Contractors Infinity Engineering and Deep South Construction addressed emergency repairs through the winter, and port staff said two rescue boats and a refurbished ferry are scheduled to come out of the yards in the coming weeks.

“The mechanical pieces are actually in place. We are waiting for DOTD to come out and do an actual load test,” Tillotson said. He said port staff have asked DOTD to perform the test “tomorrow” but had not yet received confirmation; the timing will determine whether the landing can open for weekend events and a parade.

Port staff described a tentative ribbon-cutting for March 14 and a planned “soft rollout” of the port’s rebrand on March 11. Tillotson said the port hopes the landing will be available for parade traffic but cautioned that the opening depends on DOTD’s load test and any additional checks required by state inspectors. Port staff also said a two-ferry schedule is expected when service resumes, with a second ferry running from about 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mr. Brown, who described the port’s recent safety stand down, said staff paused operations for 30 minutes this week to review safety procedures and reduce risk to employees and the public. “For the port, safety is our number one priority,” Brown said.

Contractors who worked on the landing addressed the commission. Bill Thomas, principal at Infinity Engineering, thanked the port for the contract and said his team was motivated by community meetings and public pressure to finish the job. Chad Mader, co-owner of Deep South Construction, said the West Bank will be fully energized and the East Bank electrical work will be finished within a few days, weather permitting, with only punch-list items remaining.

Tillotson also updated the commission on related capital projects: the Peters Road bridge (referred to in the meeting as the Peters Road ramp/bridge) is in DOTD’s hands and DOTD plans to issue an RFP in fewer than 30 days; an 11-mile rail-extension alignment is being surveyed and may see adjustments; and the port is proceeding with rezoning and discussions to acquire two parcels for potential port land purchases.

He said the port is in discussions with APM and Maersk on a container-terminal plan under a letter of intent, that the port has a contract with Union Pacific for rail access and that $7.4 million is available for Peters Road reengineering. Tillotson said the port will begin issuing a biweekly dashboard of milestone progress to the commission and other stakeholders.

No formal vote on the landing or related contracts was taken at the meeting. Commissioners and residents praised the contractors and port staff for accelerating repair work through challenging weather and holiday schedules; several commissioners expressed relief at the progress and emphasized continuing attention to safety and long-term resilience of the replacement structure.

Ending — Port officials said they will provide updated schedules after DOTD performs the load test and that the commission will receive biweekly progress reports on the landing and other major projects.