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Plaquemines Port reports ferry outages and $26.5 million new-ferry bid schedule
Summary
Port staff told the Plaquemines Parish Council June 11 that M/V Pride is out of service, M/V PALH is running extended hours, and a $26.5 million diesel-electric ferry is expected to go to bid in July 2026; multiple landing and rail-realignment projects were updated with timelines and funding notes.
Port staff presented a status report to the Plaquemines Parish Council on June 11 detailing ferry service interruptions and a slate of port infrastructure projects.
The report said M/V Pride is out of service at Belle Chasse due to mechanical issues, while M/V PALH is operating an extended schedule from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. to maintain service. Port staff also said MV Belle Chasse II is nearly complete and will begin fueling and outfitting before returning to service. MV Port Authority II is currently at LACAT while port and LACAT personnel address a proprietary fuel-line issue involving CAT Inc. equipment.
Port staff announced a planned new diesel-electric ferry budgeted at $26.5 million that is anticipated to go out to bid in July 2026; staff showed a rendering of the final design. The PALH Landing Replacement project, supported by an $18.6 million grant, is progressing with estimated construction completion in December 2028.
Design for replacement barges has just begun, with an estimated seven months for design and about nine months for construction and placement. Port staff said permit drawings for revitalization and repairs are underway; one set of repairs was estimated at approximately $2 million. The Belle Chasse security dock was described as two separate funding projects: FTA funding for barge purchase and Port Security funds for barge-dock support; the Port has submitted markups to the general-arrangement drawings and is awaiting feedback.
On transportation infrastructure, staff reported an amendment to a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement was sent to CSRS (recently acquired by Woodward) and HDR is handling design work for a proposed Peters Road rail bypass and full realignment aimed at removing rail from downtown Gretna. The Parish reported that DOTD is leading the Peters Road vehicle bridge project, with box culverts scheduled to go to bid in July 2026. A water booster station and associated feedlines are in final contractor phases (Fleming) and expected to be complete in July 2026, with a DOTD walkthrough planned.
The council did not take final action on the status items; staff identified upcoming milestones including the July 2026 bid schedule for the new ferry and culvert bidding and noted dependency on federal grants and DOTD schedules for some projects.
