Plaquemines Port updates ferry plans, pauses rail-extension grant after stakeholder concerns

The Plaquemines Parish Council, acting as the port commission, heard progress reports on multiple maritime infrastructure projects and a pause on a major rail grant application during its meeting.

Staff reported the new ferry build project is at 100% design and is awaiting the final design package from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for public bidding, with bids expected by mid-May 2026. "We are just waiting to receive that final design inspect package from DOTD," a port presenter said.

Port staff also said two ferry-landing barges are already funded by FTA grants and that engineering to repair Belle Chase landing structures is underway; that work will go out for public bid. "All of our rescue boats are fully operational," Blake, introduced as the port's director of vessels and security, told commissioners, and staff expect one vessel — Bellechase 2 — to be completed and returned from the shipyard around April 14.

On the LGP rail-extension project, staff said the project received an Environmental Assessment (EA) instead of a full environmental impact statement, which shortens the federal review timeline. The presenter gave an "opinion of probable cost" of approximately $103,000,000 (rising to about $110,000,000 when including construction and project management). He said port staff had planned to submit a federal build grant but paused that step after stakeholders raised concerns and requested more engagement: "We put a pause to that due to some underlying concerns that have been raised by stakeholders," the presenter said.

Officials described Peters Road as two connected efforts: a vehicle bridge and a separate rail bypass. Staff said DOTD is sourcing construction funding for the vehicle bridge and that a 73-foot clearance in the navigation study would reduce construction costs. The port's share for a related amendment was estimated at nearly $800,000, to be shared with Jefferson Parish and the city of Gretna.

Why it matters: the ferry-build, landing replacements and the rail-extension proposals involve federal and state grants and multi-year construction that affect regional freight and marine access. Pausing the rail grant application signals the port is seeking more stakeholder alignment before committing to an expensive, multiyear build.

Next steps: staff said the ferry design package will go to bid when DOTD sign-off is received and that the port will meet with stakeholders before pursuing a rail build grant.