Plaquemines Port director updates council on ferries, rail, container land and water booster; residents ask about tolls

Charles D. Tillotson, executive director of the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District, told the district during its Feb. 13 meeting that port officials returned from a Washington, D.C., trip with local partners and continue to advance multiple infrastructure projects, including emergency ferry repairs, vessel overhauls, a diesel-electric ferry design review, rail-extension engineering and a water booster station inspection contract.

The updates matter because they affect daily commutes across port ferries, long-distance freight connectivity and capital spending for the port. Tillotson said work is under way on the Pointe LeHache ferry landing emergency repairs and that the port expects to publish a completion schedule soon.

“We are working diligently to complete that project,” Tillotson said, adding that the port hopes to have components in place by next Wednesday but may run a few days behind schedule.

Tillotson reported that the Belle Chasse II ferry passed its quarterly inspection and is back in service, and that running two ferries already has reduced traffic congestion. He said the Plaquemines Bridal vessel is expected to return from the shipyard by early May and that two Port Authority vessels will be ready by February. Regarding a planned diesel-electric ferry, Tillotson said the port received preliminary drawings and "we believe that the design is too small," and that he will send a letter to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) secretary.

On regional roadway projects, Tillotson said the port, Jefferson Parish and the city of Gretna briefed federal officials about the Peters Road bypass and Walker Road bridge proposals while in Washington. He said DOTD released a design RFP on Jan. 30 and has agreed to reduce an advertising requirement from 90 days to 60 days, which the port expects will accelerate designer selection. The port plans a velocity and traffic study, and Tillotson said engineers are creating a 3-D model to show how train movements would flow from Plaquemines to inland terminals.

“...the notice for an RFP has been released. It was released on Jan. 30, and the secretary is going to waive the 90‑day advertisement rule to 60 days, and we will be moving forward on the design,” Tillotson said.

Tillotson said the 11‑mile rail extension project is progressing with Infinity Engineering, 360 (consultant referenced in the record as “3 60 veil”) and regional rail operators, and that the port is coordinating with Jefferson Parish and the New Orleans Gulf Coast short line for engineering and CAD re-creation.

On land and utilities, Tillotson said the port is in the rezoning process for a proposed container-port land purchase and that the board voted that day to add resident inspection services under Collin Associates for the Alliance Water Booster Station project. He described a funding amendment that appropriates $200,000 to the Alliance Water Booster Station from the port’s unrestricted fund balance for 2025.

Human-resources and staffing changes were also discussed. Tillotson said the port is advertising for an IT manager, plans to defund the assistant port manager position and create a Special Assistant to the Executive Director who will report directly to him. He said the port is also moving forward with rebranding: new logo and website work with Palmer Advertising, and a rollout and advertising phase budgeted at about $75,000.

Public commenters asked about how the Walker Road bridge project would be paid. Arthur Henry, a resident, asked whether the bridge would carry a toll; Tillotson said funding decisions have not yet been made and that the port must coordinate with the state.

"It will be a state highway, so we have to work with the state and it depends on the funding. I can't answer that at this time," Tillotson said.

Another resident who identified a Phoenix, Louisiana address asked the port to consider school traffic when rerouting ferries; Tillotson said the port has discussed changing ferry assignments, and that the larger Pointe LeHache ferry could help traffic flow.

No binding action on toll policy was taken; Tillotson said further public town‑hall meetings will be scheduled as project details firm up.