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Plaquemines Port director recommends lowering planned bridge to save about $19–20 million; ferry repairs, water station and staffing updates provided
Summary
Port leadership told commissioners it would save roughly $19–20 million to lower a planned bridge from 100 to 73 feet, reported ongoing ferry repairs and yard work, and outlined capital and staffing plans ahead of a budget meeting next week.
Charles d Tillotson, executive director of the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District, told the council on Nov. 14 that the port’s net position changed by roughly $360,069 largely due to routine transactions, including a grant for a drone and personnel funding adjustments. "The net net position, there's a 360, $69,000 change," Tillotson said while summarizing the financial report.
Tillotson provided a project update for multiple port priorities. Repair work at the Pointe Lehash Ferry Landing is underway: bridge sections are being sandblasted and treated and riprap work is complete. He said the port expects a change order for head beams and related ferry-barge work of about $180,000 and is on target to finish emergency repairs by January 2025.
On a planned roadway bridge tied to Walker Road and Peters Road, Tillotson said the port’s consultants completed a cost–benefit review prompted by concerns from Senator Connick and recommend lowering the bridge from 100 feet to 73 feet. "By dropping the bridge from a hundred feet to 73 feet, the savings is about 19 to $20,000,000," he said, adding that prior engineering would largely need to be redone but would not add time to the schedule. The port’s five-year capital plan assumes roughly $50 million will be identified over the next two years to fund construction.
Tillotson said the 11‑mile rail extension project remains on hold pending the outcome of an early-termination matter with 'SP' and that the port expects to hold an executive session on Dec. 12 to discuss recommendations related to that agreement. On utilities, he said the water booster station’s Phase 2 contracting is cleared to proceed and the project is expected to complete around the end of the first quarter of 2025.
On personnel matters, Tillotson said the port has a permanent special-entry rate to make it more competitive for professional captains and engineers, is actively recruiting for the port assistant manager and chief administrative officer positions, and noted medical insurance costs rose about 3% while other insurance lines did not increase.
The director also introduced rebranding next steps and said the port will conduct logo reviews with commissioners, distribute a baseline research survey to community and business audiences, and begin web content work in the coming weeks. Angelina Vigner of the port’s communications team summarized phase-two activities as "placements and advertisements, graphic design, social media campaign, outreach, public relations" to carry the new logo and website into public view.
The council did not take formal votes on these operational items during the presentation; several commissioners asked follow-up questions about outreach and DOTD communications, and Tillotson said corrective steps had been taken to ensure the port’s participation in recent waterways outreach was clearly communicated.
Next steps: the port moves into its budget meeting next week and plans an executive session Dec. 12 to address the SP early-termination matter.
