Plaquemines Port updates ferry and rail plans; commissioners approve STB-exemption filing

Port staff updated the Plaquemines Parish Council acting as the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District on ferry operations, rail planning and multiple infrastructure projects, and commissioners voted to authorize a filing with the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB).

The port’s director of security and vessels said both ferries are operating but that the vessel labeled Authority 1 is complete yet ‘‘in the Harvey Locks’’ because low river levels prevent it from returning to service. He said Belle Chasse 2 is in dry dock and progressing on schedule and that Authority 3 experienced a seawater-pump failure; replacement parts have arrived and repairs are under way.

‘‘The authority 1 is fully complete due to, High River I mean, Low River. We’re unable to get it out the locks,’’ said the director of security and vessels (speaker 6), who estimated the pump flow roughly at 12,000 gallons per minute and said staff would confirm exact figures.

Why it matters: commissioners stressed that restoring ferry and vessel firefighting capability is critical to public safety and continuity of service for parish residents who rely on ferries to cross the Mississippi River.

Project and grant updates

Port project staff reported the new diesel-electric ferry is at 100% final design and a specification package will go out for bid, with bids expected in mid-May. Staff said survey, geotechnical work and preliminary engineering are under way for the Pointe Le Hesse (Pointe Lehash) Ferry Landing replacement and that the port has $18,600,000 in grant funding tied to that project.

Project staff also said they received an environmental-assessment (EA) determination from the STB for the 11-mile rail-extension project, which shortens the federal review timeline from what staff said previously could take roughly two years under a full EIS process to about a year with an EA.

‘‘We are pleased to say that the STB has granted the port the EA instead of having to go for a full EIS,’’ project staff (speaker 7) said, describing that as a ‘‘big plus’’ for schedule.

Staff provided an opinion of probable construction cost of about $103,000,000 for one rail-related project and said the water booster-station project is coordinated with parish engineers and DOTD with an estimated completion of June 2026.

Community engagement and communication concerns

Several members of the public urged clearer, earlier outreach about rail alignments and ferry ramp work. One resident said many community members ‘‘don’t even know where the port is coming’’ and asked for town halls so people can learn how projects will affect neighborhoods.

Project staff said port representatives attended a regional town hall in Ironton, relayed residents’ concerns to the STB and plan to involve independent, third-party federal staff in future public meetings.

APM statement dispute

A commissioner said a panelist at an external economic development breakfast told attendees that APM would be in Plaquemines Parish ‘‘within six months.’’ The commissioner called that statement false and said the port owes the community an apology for the confusion.

Commissioner (speaker 1) said he ‘‘put an email out’’ seeking confirmation, got no response and felt compelled to correct the record to constituents. Other commissioners said no formal commission action or authorization had been taken to approve such a timeline.

What’s next

Commissioners pressed staff for clearer timelines, firm contractor accountability and interim repairs to preserve ferry continuity (including mud-jetting and temporary hull patches until new barges are built). The commission authorized staff to pursue the STB filing (see separate article for votes) and asked staff to report back with clarified schedules and confirmed technical details, including precise pump capacities and contractor completion dates.